Our Journey Began & Continues

It all really began 50+ years ago with my transplanting wild violets from a vacant lot into the flowerbeds of my childhood home.   Knowing now the invasiveness of wild violets, I’ve often wondered why my parents allowed me to do so.  Did they realize they were nurturing my passion?  Gardening magazines, catalogs, botanical gardens, free seminars, Victory Garden, and simply observing other people’s flowerbeds feed and develop this passion!

At each of the houses we’ve owned, I’ve created flowerbeds and vegetable gardens.  And IF I ever find where I put all those pre-digital pictures, I will post some.  But for now, I’ll start with my gardens today.

  

My husband, Ken, wanted me to draw this flowerbed in order for us to build it.  I remember saying to him, “What?  I can't draw it!  It's inside me!  I’ll know the size and shape as I do it!"  A foreign concept for someone who has remodeled our homes and built new homes!  When negotiations broke down, I took the lawnmower and mowed the perimeter and said . . . “OK, anything inside this mowed path gets rototilled.” 

And so our journey began and continues. 

A dump truck load of black dirt was purchased, delivered, and dumped on our driveway.  Neighbors and passersby watched our progress!  When Ken asked me where I wanted the dirt put . . . exactly, even! . . . I said, “I’m not sure . . . it’s inside me . . . just put it in the flowerbed and I’ll put it where I want it.”    

Ken and our son wheeled the dirt to the new flowerbed and waited for me to “put it where I wanted it.”  Well, let’s just say my ambition was way more than my muscle!  I am sooooo thankful Ken helped me by shoveling the dirt into place as I sculpt it with the old iron garden rake . . . reminding him with each “where do you want this dirt?” . . . “It’s inside me . . .”

Only a few perennials found a home in any of my flowerbeds the first year.  Annuals filled in the open spaces until trees, bushes, bulbs, and perennials were in place.  Annuals are now confined to clay pots and half whiskey barrels.  



Although I never have a “paper plan,” I always have a plan “inside me” regarding size, texture, color, and bones for each of the four seasons.  And I know that plants can be moved if I’ve put them in not the best spot. 

Digging, planting, weeding, and pruning take place “inside me,” as well as in my flowerbeds.  It’s hard work, both the flowerbeds and me, but both produce much fruit. 



Herb Garden