Gardening Blues

“In every winter’s heart there is a quivering spring, and behind the veil of each night there is a shining dawn.” -- Gibran Khalil Gibran

Our garden is very nearly in shambles. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen it look so pitiful. The vegetables seem stunted, the roses look sparse, we need more winter annuals, and many of our wooden frames are buckling (untreated wood for organic growing).

I’m not being unreasonable about the garden. Southeast Texas is plenty green in the winter and vegetable beds usually flourish. I’m pretty sure that I’ve done something wrong, but haven’t figured out what yet. Does the new soil have too much bulky compost? Has the watering not been sufficient or too much? Did I sow seeds too late? I will have to take notes in my garden planner this year.

On the other hand, the patio’s ambience continues to improve. Joseph, husband and carpenter extraordinaire, finished another one of his weekend projects – a rollback swing. It’s large and pretty and so very comfortable. It’s been up for only a few days and is already a focal point.
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I have a feeling that, despite the garden’s current, puny condition, it will be glorious this spring. It will take work, but we like work. It will also take time, waiting. For that, we have a swing.