This has been a confusing spring. Wildly swinging temperatures disconcert not only the gardener, but the garden. Spring bulbs bloomed early with the warmth, then kept on blooming as the temperatures dropped again. I started to do some clean up, only to be driven back in by cold and wind and rain and snow flurries. And in spite of the intermittent warmth, garden centers had no flowers to sell until the last possible frost day, usually in early May.
But now, now it’s time to grow! I purposely waited until after Mother’s Day to dig in. Then I visited two garden centers to collect the plants I wanted. (No place has everything.) I needed these specific plants because there is a hungry bunny living under my porch. The last thing I want to do is set up a buffet at his front door.
With my spade in my hand and a plan in my head, I began. And discovered I had far less stamina than I thought. But that’s okay, because I know how to pace myself. Still, I became very familiar with the three garden “gnomes:” Sweaty, Achey and Dirty.
Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east,
and there he placed the man he had made.
The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden
to tend and watch over it.
Genesis 2:8, 15 NLT
God is still planting gardens. He still tasks us to tend them. I have a sense of urgency when I plant, trying to get things into the ground as quickly as possible so God can take care of them with the soil, sun and rain He provides.
It is now Wednesday. There are a few more plants I need to buy to finish the front garden areas. It astonishes me to see how far I’ve come in only two days. My muscles believe it, though.
This perennial garden should last for years. Just what this aging gardener needs, body and soul. I am working forward to it.
Thank You, God for sun and showers,
Thank You for each lovely flower.
Thank You for each stately tree.
Through all of these, You speak to me.
“A Gardener’s Prayer,” author unknown