Thursday, May 31, 2012

Tomorrow I meet my garden.

She's Back (tomorrow), 2008
I've planted some seeds with my father, but I have not had my very own space for about 4 years.  Tomorrow I meet my garden, a little patch of borrowed soil we will call our own for 90 days.

We'll be starting later than the photo above.  My knit hat will be replaced by a wide brim model, made of straw.

I had a grand plan, but I'm going to scrap the whole thing.  I want to see this space, meet the birds, and sink my hands into the soil before deciding what should live in it.

+++  update  +++
3:02 PM  I've just arrived home with 9 seed packets.  What is wrong with me?  The moment I make a grand pronouncement I up and do the opposite.  I'm not even sure I'll have enough space for these choices.  What about my respect for the birds and the space and the nature of the soil?  My commitment to meeting them first?  Sheesh.  I will now say hello with small pouches of seed for growing Progress #9 shelling peas,  Contender bush beans, Early Yellow Crookneck summer squash, spicy micro greens, Italian Red of Florence scallion/bunching onions, French Breakfast radishes, Cherry Belle radishes, Japanese Mini Sweet ninjin/carrots, and a mesclun lettuce blend.

34 comments:

  1. I hope your first meeting is joyful. I'll think of you in the sun, breathing in the scent of soil and dreaming and planning.

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  2. Good luck. I so wished I had a garden too.

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  3. I think the knit hat is beautiful and irreplaceable, but I'm excited about your garden too.

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    1. Oh, Mise, I still have the hat. I really like that hat. It will just be a little warm in June for wearing it.

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  4. I know that you will make the very most of it.

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  5. I'm happy to think of you gardening. And I look forward to sharing the stories and recipes that come along with a bit of dirt.

    xo Jane

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  6. I think I have a thing or two to learn from you, thoughtful gardener,
    Can't wait for more

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    1. More? Well... We added dill, cucumber, squash, and tomato starts and planted kale, arugula, and chard. That's it for now.

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  7. Hee hee. Sounds like someone's excited! Enjoy!

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  8. Ah the temptation of a few packets of seeds... And made all the more desirable by your recent procurement of land... I can see how your best intentions were swept away by the lure of the seeds...

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  9. I'm happy you're getting into gardening again! Up here, the mid-90's heat is blasting all of my spring veggies into the realm of bitterness, but I hear that the Bay area climate tends to be more forgiving and cooler. Excited to see what you grow!

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    1. Bitterness? 90s? Wow. So sad. I hope it cools a bit for you. It hasn't gotten terribly warm here in West Marin. I often miss warm nights, but I don't know if I could handle such heat.

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  10. there will be plenty of opportunities to greet the birds---plant away! I always get more seeds than I have actual space for--garden enthusiasm always takes over. right now we are eating lots of spinach, lettuces and scallions from our patch--tomatoes have yellow flowers, with a few tiny green fruits forming. Have a great season in your garden, Denise. It shall bring you much joy and satisfaction.

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  11. Your new garden sounds just perfect. Those gorgeous seed packets are hard to resist, and I can't wait for you to harvest the radishes. I'm sure your digging in dirt will bring much inspiration.

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  12. I know the temptation, and giving in to buying seed packets is a good one. Plant, and the birds will love it...they might just serenade you.

    p.s. you look adorable in the photo xo

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  13. That is okay, Denise. I'm sure there's plenty of soil to share amongst your seeds and the birds and the worms. My favorite seed packet I planted this spring: Drunken Woman Frizzy Headed Lettuce. Seemed appropriate.

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  14. Not a thing wrong with you! Those seed packets must have been smiling at you!

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  15. I am glad there was a mix-up over at Rusty's, because it let me here. I think I might stay and read a bit.

    Curtain Girl

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  16. A small garden is a wonderful meditation practice. It gets your hands in the soil so you can really connect with nature and the manual work takes.your mind away from the rest. It is a community with the land and an amazing experiment in life growth: the biggest mystery. Happy encounter, Denise

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  17. Bringing offerings to a first meeting is no bad thing. I'm sure it won't have hindered you from communing with your garden space. May you have a happy growing season there.

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  18. I could not possibly understand more. I grew up with parents who gardened obsessively - many things were picked fresh from the garden for dinner during the summer! Now I find myself surrounded by deer, rabbits, and other forms of wildlife who view anything I plant as a buffet. I must be content with a few bunches of basil growing on my kitchen windowsill. Of course you arrived home with nine seed packets. Who wouldn't?

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  19. ha, but at least you're enthusiastic! I'm sure your garden will be pleased to be greeted by such an array.

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  20. I love your excitement. You can respect the birds by cramming the space full of lovely things that they'll take great pleasure in helping you eat!

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  21. It's so difficult to say no to a seed packet. I've been there...

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  22. oh man
    this was great.
    love the enthusiasm for the project.
    I was all impressed by my romaine lettuce that I thought I might plant some zucchini. I would make muffins. Nobody was the least bit excited. So, I am rethinking. Because unwanted zucchinis are sad.

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    1. I do love zucchini, especially grilled, but once they get going it seems they do not stop. Perhaps you could pass your extras on to neighbors, co-workers, extended family, friends, your postal worker, etc.

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  23. Hi Denise, Just catching up! I can never make choices about seeds, so now I don't buy any. Your pictures are wonderful as usual. Hope you are well.

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  24. Concerning your question: "What is wrong with me?" Nothing. You are behaving like a typical and true gardener. Lovely seed choices, too.

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  25. oh i DO wish we lived closer, d. i am SOOOOOO excited for your litle adventure, and i've a lot of seeds i'd love to share with you.

    have fun!

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