As usual, I have been excited about the arrival of spring to my garden. But two weeks into the season, I’m already feeling a little overwhelmed. Whether it was the unusual spell of cold weather, or the more than ample rainfall, or simply the glory of the warm Georgia sun, my garden has come on “gangbusters” this year. It already looks like a National Park Campground on Fourth of July weekend.
Walking through the garden, I have to admit to becoming increasingly anxious. Ferns are poking up through the blooming azaleas, hostas seem to have doubled in number, creeping phlox is creeping everywhere and the arum lily that I
dug up and discarded in the fall? Apparently I only divided the roots. They are back in spades. The lenten rose? Wow. It’s like a tsunami. I keep thinking, if things are overcrowded and out of control in March, what is it going to look like in June?
So, I go out and sigh and begin to dig and try to gain some control over this space I share with nature. But yesterday, standing in the sunshine, I stopped long enough to look around and the sight was breathtaking. The sheer abundance of the life around me was miraculous. And I thought, “I’ve been missing this. I’ve been so concerned about being in control that I have been missing the glory of this abundance.”
So I put down my tools, peeled off my gloves and just sat down on my bench to take in the sights and smells of my garden. When the kids were in pre-school, they learned a song which came to mind. “This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.” And so I rejoiced and was glad for my garden, for all it’s chaotic and exuberant abundance. And, I decided, I’ll deal with June in June.
I think Mae West must have had it right as she said, “Too much of a good thing is…..Wonderful!!!!”
Happy Spring! Laura
A note from last week’s post on moss: Dave, my son who lives in Oregon, sent this photo of a mossy bank near his home. Isn’t it beautiful?
If you have photos or comments to share of your “nature based life”, please do!
Chaotic abundance in the garden in March depends on geography! It’ll be a couple of months before the gardens in the mountains of southern Oregon reach that stage!