Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Plants Are Like People

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        (tomato bed and zinnia bed)

        Be very still… things are growing in my yard.  This is a shocking surprise.

        Why ?  Multiple reasons.

a. my insecurity as a gardener

b. the less than friendly climate where I live

c.  my insecurity as a gardener

d.  the soil in my yard and the size of my yard (1 acre)

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        Here is what I have learned about gardening in the 2 years since I retired from teaching.

a.  plants are like people- they get hot, thirsty, they don’t like bugs, and they feel easily neglected

b.  they want you to talk to them- not about them

c.  they are very forgiving

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d. they don’t always mind when you dress them up and put them in weird contraptions

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        I have also learned that it takes work- lots of work.

In fact, in order to write this post this morning, I am on a short break after a two hour stretch of working in my yard.

        After I re-do my booth at an antique mall, this afternoon I plan to paint my side yard fence a funky color and doll it up. 

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        I have also learned that sometimes things aren’t what they seem.  I have planted roses and lost the accompanying label only to discover that-

“Good night nurse, that’s an ORANGE rose.”

        That required a little talk with said rose and a move to a new locale (out of direct view).

        Before you send the crazy police or plan an intervention, I know this sounds crazy, but its my kind of crazy.

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I am linking to Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com.

outdoor wednesday

32 comments:

Theresa said...

Oh how I love flowers! I haven't planted anything yet. We are known to have another cold spell after the hot, oh so hot one:) Love all of you beautiful flowers and can't wait to see the funky fence! Have a blessed day dear Laura!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!! Wish we had warmer "flower" weather here.

susan said...

Laura-From what I can see, you don't need to feel insecure. You look as if you are well on your way to a lovely garden. I wait to plant until after April 15. Around here, that is the last danger of frost (according to "them"):). The raised beds are great. Can't wait to see what color you do your fence.

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Beautiful Laura...
Your insecurity is unfounded...
Love all the little spots you've created...
Can't wait to see your new fence color!!!
Doll it up all you want girl.
wish we had your warm weather....
We have had some nice weather..but tomorrow they are talkin s.n.o.w,,,,,yuk. hopefully that's the last of it!
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Old Time Cindy said...

This post made me smile! I am on my break after working for two hours in the veggie garden. Need to get back out there...a storm will be brewing in a few hours. And stop being insecure, everything looks great.
Blessings,
Cindy

Elaine said...

Your garden is looking lovely! I live in a "hard to garden in" climate too......the desert Southwest. But the hard work is so worth it as you're obviously finding out. :)

Blondie's Journal said...

I am loving your raised beds. All of your hard work is showing. By mid~summer the work will slow down and you can just sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Can't wait to see the fence!!

xoxo
Jane

Elizabethd said...

Well done, it looks as though you have a very well planned garden.

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

You have no reason to feel insecure...these are all lovely...plants look healthy, pictures are great and you obviously treat them all with a gardeners love!

Visit me to...I'm having a giveaway this week.

trish said...

You are doing such a great job with your gardening. And your post is a sweet reminder of how we should care for those around us. :o)
Have a wonderful day.
Sincerely ~ Tricia

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Your garden and flowers all look contented and happy, so you must be doing something right. Susan listens better than I do. :-D I always plant my pots to soon and end yp dragging them inside a couple of nights - like I will be doing this week.

Nancy's Notes said...

Well Missy, you do have a green thumb by the looks of your gorgeous flowers! They are so healthy looking, I could actually see them growing!

Nancy

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

What a beautiful garden! You really are in S. Texas, aren't you? We can't even plant yet! Being in N. Georgia...STILL the SOUTH, mind you...we plant on or around Mother's Day. I'm serious. We've had snow in April, which is just crazy talk.

YOU, however, will have far more tomatoes WAY earlier than us.

But I won't be sweating half to death in the humidity picking mine. :-) It's all good.

Kathleen said...

I get it..I don't like orange either..on; in Fall.
Good luck with your garden. We have deer here, and they eat everything...but I keep trying!

Sonny G said...

love all your plants. I cant believe how big your tomatoes are already... your musy have a whole green hand, forget a thumb :-)

stop by and enter my giveaway if you have a minute..

Sonny

Julie Harward said...

Oh..it's all so nice...I love all your cute pots and places you have put them. I'm insecure with it all too but the hub does lots of it for me to bottle and can. Come say hi :D

Gweny said...

Loved you blog and started following you today:) Wish you luck with your roses. I love them but sure can't grow them LOL I envy those who can!! I bet your yard will be beautiful by June, I'll be lucky if I've even started working in my by then..In 25 years of working on this yard I've planted 20,000 new plants, Where did they all go??? LOL

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Things are looking really good in my opinion and your insecurity as a gardener should soon dissipate as your learning grows.

Karen said...

I saw you tearing around throughout your yard yesterday! A woman on a mission. Wish I had half your energy and inspiration. It's all going to turn out great.
Hugs, neighbor.

Dixie said...

Laura... I still haven't planted tomatoes... Hope I get them in the ground this weekend!

I posted some photos of wildflowers tonight... one I couldn't figure out the name... take a look and let me know if you have any idea?

happy gardening! Dixie

From the Old InkWell said...

I've never thought about it but you're right! Plants are like people! :) Planting a garden is a lot of work. I admire you!

Unknown said...

i'm an insecure gardener too! i've killed so many plants, it is terrible. you give me great hope for my plant growing future. thanks for stopping by my blog and for the encouragement.

Natasha in Oz said...

I think that your plants and garden look fantastic. Looks like you will have a beautiful garden this season. Keep up the amazing work!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

erin's art and gardens said...

hi laura, thanks for stopping by my blog and following me. i look forward to perusing your lovely blog! boy, am i impressed with your maters!! looks like you are well on your way to making lots of salsa! following you now.........
erin

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

hmmmm......now you have me thinking.....

What kind of plant would I be?

I have age spots...a rose?
I don't drink too much water...a cactus?
I dislike the sun...an impatient?
I am rather colorful...an orchid?
I love to spread my wings...verbena?
I'm lazy...an annual?

This is a difficult decision Laura. If I had to choose one though...I'd be a plant that totally resisted bugs...I really don't like bugs!!!!
;)

Brenda Pruitt said...

Everything you said is sooo true! I do chit-chat with my plants. I ooh and aah over them. They like praise, I've discovered. Can't wait to see that fence!
Brenda

joanna said...

Lovely garden! Yes Plants love to be talked too. I do agree... It is just starting to till my garden still soggy from all the Oregon Rain...

Came by A Southern Daydreamer.
Joanny
http://thedowsersdaughter.blogspot.com

Ms. Bake-it said...

From the pictures you have shared with us, it looks like you can shed your insecurities! Your plants look lovely. My kids just shake their heads and roll their eyes when I start talking to my plants and telling them how pretty they are. I still have not planted anything yet. Still have too much work and reshaping to do in my yard before I can have anything other than a few container plants.

~ Tracy

Unknown said...

Hi Laura. Your plants all look like they're thriving to me. You are going to have a boat load of tomatoes this year. I have been fussing about the cost of tomatoes for months saying I am going to grow my own. You make it look simple. Do you have any tips? I love Zinnias and Dahlia's for they long lasting blooms right up until frost. I've never tried planting a big mass in a confined area together. Will you keep them that way, I bet they will be fabulous.

Hugs...Tracy :)

The Shiny Pebble said...

Hi Laura... I had never made the connection between people and plants, BUT I loved the "they don't like bugs" part. Hillarious. Where in TX are you?

Sharon@KeenInspirations said...

Hi Laura, I really enjoyed your post on the similarites between plants and people. If you treat people the way you treat your plants, you are one caring, friendly lady! The plants are thriving and beautiful! Rake those insecurities up and compost them! :)You are an awesome gardener!

Kat said...

“Good night nurse, that’s an ORANGE rose.”
What a line!--I choked on my iced tea then started roaring with laughter for some reason. That one just tickles me! I've got to use a variation of that line sometime, Laura! :)
Peace, Kat :)

 

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