Gardening Coincides with Life
Over the Christmas vacation period, three rather significant events occurred for me.
One of my four pet turkeys died, my favorite who had been with me for four years, now. Secondly, I finished my doctoral work, and finally joined my wife as the other Dr. DeGarmo in the family. And third, I missed my Michigan State Spartans’ victory on January 2nd, as the youngest child in my household was rushed to the Emergency Room suffering from seizures (she is alright, now).
Now, none of these were related to gardening, yet all three events were reminders to me as a gardener.
Death is sometimes a sudden and unexpected experience for us, at times and can be so, too, for plants. Through the years, I have watched many a plant, without any warning at all, suddenly die. One day, the plant looks healthy, and is thriving. A few days later, and without explanation, the plant is no longer a growing member of my garden.
Just like my female turkey, there seems to be no explanation for the death. Yet, it reminds me that plants die, as well, no matter how much care and attention we might provide it. Our greenest thumb sometimes cannot save a plant.
My doctoral dissertation was a process that was rather lengthy, and at times, tested my patience.
Indeed, I wanted the process to speed up, as I simply wished to complete it. Gardening can be like that, as well. When I plant a new bed of flowers, I have a picture in my mind of how the final product will look, when all of the plants grow to their mature size. I don’t enjoy this waiting period, and have to remind myself to be patient.
There are times when I have to repeat the old adage to myself about plant life; “First year, they (plant) sleep; second year, they creep; and the third year, they leap.” When gardening, it takes time, and patience, in order to bear the fruits of our labor.
Now, January 2nd was my birthday, and I had big plans that day. I was all set to watch my MSU football team play their opponent in a bowl game.
As a face painter, I was prepared to paint my face in the green war paint that lies in my bathroom drawer, always ready for important games.
The children were making me a home made pizza as well as a birthday chocolate pie. Yet, my youngest child’s sudden seizures quickly changed those plans.
As gardeners, it is important to remain flexible. Circumstances and events in a garden can change just as quickly as my plans for the football game.
Instead of pruning a butterfly bush, we might have to place those plans aside and attend to the vegetable garden that is being eaten by rabbit or deer. Perhaps the roses that are under attack by the Japanese Beetle is more important that transplanting the hosta into a shadier area.
For gardeners, each day can lead to a surprise and a change of plans.
If we look around us, there are reminders and lessons about gardening in our everyday lives. Even though we are in the cold, dark months of Ole Man Winter, we can still learn a great deal about gardening, if we just open our eyes. Enjoy!