Change is in the Air

“For everything there is a season and a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Poor garden! I would weep if I thought it would help. But it won’t and, anyway, there’s more going on than meets the eye.

Lots of plants that went dormant are showing signs of waking. Little green leaves are peaking at the base of the sticks. There’s a flower here and there. Squirrels and birds are a lively presence.

Still… It’s pretty barren out there at the moment.  

I wasn’t able to plant seasonal annuals. Flower seeds didn’t sprout – I think due to lack of water. And
I wasn’t there to water where the sprinkler missed.

There’s a lot of bare soil.

Change is in the air. Going forward this spring, knowing that I will have another foot surgery soon, I mean to minimize. Tidy and low-maintenance are my new goals. Hardly my usual, but this year, it feels necessary.   

I’m the gardener. Joseph doesn’t have time, and he will have even less when I’m once again in a splint, then cast, then boot. I hope to be in recovery by high summer, but in southeast Texas, that’s not the best time to garden no matter the circumstances. And Fall? We hope to travel.

Time to simplify.

I think we might remove a lot of the giant plants. Much as I love salvias, for example, and gorgeous as they are in spring, they aren’t carefree. Once summer hits, they can quickly become a gigantic, overgrown mess that continues growing well into fall.

The plants below -- lantana and salvias -- won't be easy to remove. The root balls will be HUGE.

I personally don’t mind a bird garden, but left unchecked, it easily becomes unacceptable by HOA standards.

Game Plan: Hire help to remove giant plants, weed, and mulch.

That's work I can’t do right now, and Joseph doesn’t have time for.

Still trying to decide if we’ll keep ALL the raised boxes. I want them. He’s not so sure.

I’m not upset. Well, not entirely. Gardens are ever evolving, after all. There are even things I’m rather excited about. Some beds need a few new plants, so there’s that. And I have plenty of optional spaces for annuals, not to mention room for herbs and possibly some vegetables (even if we take out the big box). 

It’s a season within a season in our lives. Who knows what’s next?

​Wishing you joy in your garden this spring!