by Jeanetta Darley

“April showers bring May flowers.”

And yes, May flowers bring pilgrims but this time of year they also bring bees to the garden.  And bees bring pollination.  And pollination brings a bountiful harvest.  

Well, that’s the theory of gardening anyway.  

When that theory is proved right you feel so successful.  You feel like the queen cultivator out to provide food for her family from the dirt of the earth.  Crowned with your over-sized sun hat and your trusty trowel at your side.  You envision an ever vigilant summer where weeds tremble at your hands, beetles and aphids have retreated in terror and the neighbor’s dog has banished any thought of digging in that fresh smelling dirt.  You can and freeze and dehydrate.  Fresh salads are fixed every night.  And your kids no longer snub the dark green vegetables from days of yore because they have been enlightened and now know where their food comes from and will eat it happily.

Sorry to burst your bubble but the dream of gardening nirvana just doesn’t exist.  Not even for professional farmers and gardeners. The reality is a garden, like anything worthwhile, is hard work.  It’s dirty work during the hottest most humid times of the year. But don’t let the fear of failure or the harsh conditions stop you from pushing on.

I have only been gardening with minor success for maybe the past four years.  I say minor success because each year I learn some things I need to stop doing and some things I need to start doing.  So this is my garden confessional for this year.

Things to stop:

• I’m a hopeless over-planter.  I envision myself harvesting and washing and cooking and canning every evening during the summer when the reality is I’m lucky to give them a quick rinse and blanch and pop them in the freezer.  

• Don’t get angry at my family when they don’t share my gardening passion.  I can get grumpy being the only one that ever waters or mulches or shells peas.  Even if they do enjoy the eating.

Things to start:

• Keep a better journal.  I use a fantastic online journal with the website SmartGardener.  It is very easy to use and helps with your garden floor plan and even sends email reminders.
• Prune! I’m terrified to prune. So by mid summer my over-planted, over-grown raised beds resemble a small jungle.
• Compost.  It’s time I gathered all the chicken poop and tossed it in with the eggshells and other matter and get some composting bins started
• Plan our meals around the harvest and give our abundance to food pantries.

I am always asked questions about starting a garden and when you’re supposed to do what when.  The truth is I’m still learning all that too.  I ask questions. I look things up and most importantly I just go ahead and do it.  Start simple.  Don’t get discouraged.  Pay attention.  And have fun.  Happy gardening!

My Favorite Gardening Resources:

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Karen Kingsolver

SmartGardener.com

P. Allen Smith’s Youtube Channel