Whose plot is it really?

One of the best parts about gardening is the opportunity to stop being so diametrically opposed to what nature is doing and start cooperating a bit instead. It is both rewarding and relaxing to see your plants coming up ever so slowly, and and there is a sense of peace that goes with knowing one is contributing to a more environmentally and socially sustainable food system.

You can imagine Tom Crowder's surprise when it turned out that nature wasn't quite as interested in cooperating with him. Indeed, this spring it turned out that a pair of killdeer (birds) had selected Tom's plot as an ideal spot to build their nest. All Tom was trying to do was get some work done in his garden bed, but it was more difficult to convince the killdeer of that - as they chose to believe he must have been out to get them. Lots of us had a laugh as the birds took every opportunity they could to tell all of us off with a constant barrage of chirping.

The birds, along with their babies, have opted to move to a quieter spot in a currently unoccupied plot. While all parties can currently coexist more peacefully, the birds are still quite willing to share their opinion if anyone gets too close.

new beginnings....

Over the past several weekends, there have been lots of people at the garden getting things ready for another growing season!

Things were a bit swampy at first (we nearly lost Len in the mud!), but everyone plowed ahead and got wood-chips laid down on many of the paths running between the plots. There has also been several loads of compost delivered, and much of it is already being put to use: both being worked into the soil and spread as a mulch in other plots.

At first glance, the community garden is a place with sandy soil, lots of low spots, and a lot of recently tilled sod. However, never underestimate the things that can be achieved by a few determined people. Little by little, the soil is being enriched through the addition of compost and organic fertilizer, beds are being evened out to avoid swamping in low spots, and sod is being picked out and turned into more compost.

Even more exciting, there are little bitty green things poking up in a number of places as some of the early vegetables start to pop up to greet the sun. There has been real commitment to the earth we walk on at the garden, and the results are just beginning to show.

Valley Plentiful Community Garden blog

It's been a long winter, but at last the sun is shining again, the birds are singing, and lots of green things are starting to poke up out of the dirt, grow on trees, in cracks in the sidewalks, and pretty much everywhere else as well. Everywhere you look, things are growing and there is new life.

During the past few weekends, as I've been digging wood chips, soil, and compost; I've had some time to think about what a fantastic summer it's going to be. It has been one of the most serene and relaxing experiences possible to spend some additional time outside working with the ground and planting our little garden. Each time I head out there to the garden, I can feel the stress start to melt away...

I got to thinking how I'm sure there are others who feel the same way. With just one summer in the books, and the garden growing like crazy, there are surely going to be countless stories springing up about the garden and its ability to affect and enrich our lives.

Obviously we can all share these stories any time of the day or night, but I thought that I would put together a method where everyone can join in and share their stories with the rest of the garden. Here is a great place to share your pictures, stories, tips, and tell us about how your plot is doing. You can send all those things, along with feedback, to:

pickeringgarden@live.com

Enjoy your summer and all of those serene times.