Diary Of a Gardener Christmas yet?

Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that your body is tense, and your heart races? You pause, take a deep breath, and try to sort out what needs to happen next. The long list of to-dos looms large: work projects, endless meetings with potential clients, and the random demands life throws your way. But what you really want is to sit down, relax, maybe go outside to take photos of your plants, chase butterflies, and listen to the birds. You look forward to the weekend, hoping for a mind break and some quality time in the garden.

That’s exactly how I feel this week and probably will for the next few leading up to Thanksgiving. The recent hurricane pushed projects back two weeks, compressing all my deadlines. My course is ending soon with a big project due, and honestly, all I want to do is decorate for Christmas and watch White Christmas. I like to imagine it’s chilly outside, and I can dance like Danny Kaye.

I know it’s all on me—I said yes to everything. I want to enjoy the holiday season and keep up with my work, maybe even sneak in some Christmas candy along the way. But I know that in a few days, I’ll head out to the garden with plants in hand, and the stress will start to melt away as I bury my worries in the soil. If I’m lucky, I’ll catch the hummingbird visiting my firebush, which, though a bit battered from the storm, is still blooming. I’m reminded of the importance of standing still, listening, and appreciating the life in the garden. Too often, I’m busy working without taking time to just enjoy it.

This weekend, I plan to finish my mini-meadow with native grasses, wildflowers, and Coontie plants. Did you know Coontie seeds take a year to germinate? They’re fascinating plants with textured foliage and deep cultural roots in Florida, plus they’re host plants for the Atala butterfly. I highly recommend them for any yard since they grow well in both sun and shade.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your winter and spring gardens, too. With the milder weather, plants can acclimate more easily and require less watering. Need some advice on what to plant? I’d love to help… even though I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. After all, I love what I do—so it’s all worth it in the end.