Diary of a Gardener Nourishing Rain
As I sit inside, warm and cozy, on a Sunday afternoon listening to the pitter patter of the rain hitting the roof, sidewalk, and plant leaves outside I think about how nourishing the rain is for my soul as much as it is for my plants. For weeks I have spent countless hours nourishing my gardens with sweat, arduous work, blood, aching muscles and pouring of my monkey mind. I feel as if I work out my anxiety of the week’s work, the words said that hurt my feelings or punched my gut leaving me feeling sick. Every hole dug, plant moved, branch trimmed, and heavy pot upturned that takes every aching muscle in my body to muster the power to turn it over is telling my mind it is going to be okay. The feelings of insecurities and feelings of not being good enough at what I do somehow get buried somewhere underneath the mulch layer and sprout up new life with feelings of belief, confidence to face the sun and grow into something so beautiful, worthy and sought after. Just like a breath-taking flower seen from the sidewalk on your morning walk. You desire to know what it is, where it came from and how to get one for yourself. My garden, its plants, and the demanding work I put into it to make it beautiful are how I take care of myself. It is my invitation to myself for a deep longing of self-care much like a bubble bath or day at the spa does for others. Or, like a day at the beach or lunch with family. Listening to the meditative tip tap of the rain reminded me we all need Mother Nature’s nourishment to grow. The cleansing rain fills the roots of the plants for optimal growth, much like tears release the pent-up fears and pain we hold inside of us from our daily lives allowing us to see more clearly on the other side. We now have a stronger, clearer foundation of what lies ahead. Not to sound all woo-woo but plants are how I connect with myself. Breath in life and let go of dead ideas the world fills our heads with. I am sure many of you feel the same. Nature and humans have an innate connection with each other, we are just too busy to stop and pay attention to what is right in front of our too busy eyes.
It is okay to rest. After last week’s rose pruning, there is little left to do in my garden until new life presents itself for my care taking. The garden teaches you the ebbs and flow of life. The rain came at the optimal time. My crew and I are installing an updated, more colorful, and robust landscape for a client tomorrow. There is much to do to create this: ripping up sod, removing shrubs and a small stump. My brain goes into organizing mode deciding what is most time efficient and least taxing on our bodies. How I keep myself going is knowing how the end product will look. The satisfaction when the last bag of mulch is spread creating the pop you see from the sidewalk. It is the ‘guardian of first impressions.’ I did not produce that term, but I stole it and use it often as it is a perfect illustration of how a landscape and plants should interact with your home. The ultimate curb appeal and eye candy.
When I think about successful people I admire, one characteristic that plays itself on repeat is “be grateful.” This is something I feel has been instilled in me. Be grateful, none of us get here alone. It takes a village, I know cliché, to get where we are. From family, my husband, neighbors, clients, friends, the Amazon delivery person, teachers, cheerleaders, and helpers I did not get here alone, and I will not continue to grow and be successful alone. Sure, it takes an enormous amount of hard work, creativity, and pivoting, but without all of you I would still be propagating plants in my back yard for the shear sake of enjoyment. My mott in life is: Be grateful, take no prisoners, but take no crap!
The week ahead is busy. A back breaking landscape installation, speaking engagement at the Sarasota Garden Club, working (I do run another business), consultations and being a wife and doggy mom, but I would not know what to do with myself if I had more time on my hands. When I was about 20 years old, one of my very first bosses and mentors said to me, “do what you love, and the money will follow”. Having veered off that path more than once I now understand what that really means.
Have a wonderful week and as always, keep growing.
