The Garden as teacher

After a year of working in the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, I have – to my amazement – become a more patient gardener. I walk right past the impulse buy tables in the garden store.

Flower-Store

Tempting as they are, I now favor these young divides –

New-Plantings

trusting that they will grow into stronger, healthier plants that will shoot forth year after year.

Asiatic-Lily-Early-Spring

This season, I will even experiment with seeds – something I never had the patience for before.

Seeds

The gardeners and I have watched and learned what works and what doesn’t. Plant in mounds to avoid drowning in the winter rains…

California1_11

Don’t cut back until after all frosts; it is colder in the country and our little friends need their cover…

Salvia-Early-Spring

And tulips belong in pots, well out of bunny reach!

Tulips-MarchTulips-March2

Last year was all about planning and planting; this season is about waiting.

Lupine-Early-Spring

Including sitting out this Killdeer’s brood; 3-4 weeks incubation time after the last egg is laid. Her nest is so well-known to us that we leave it marked with a little statue for her return each year. No digging here for at least three more weeks, yet she allows us to walk within a couple of feet of her without too much fuss.

Killdeer3_2_13

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.”~ Gertrude Jekyll

Published by

Ogee

I am a nascent gardener, rescuer, and photographer, chronicling the journey of the dogs at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary near Sacramento, CA - and the Memorial Garden we have devoted to them.

15 thoughts on “The Garden as teacher”

  1. I love it when I open my mail and find another chapter of this beautiful garden journal. I feel myself drifting into several minutes of peace and much needed inspiration. Thank you.

  2. As landscaper by trade, I never feel like doing anything horticultural when I get home. Looking at your pics, however, I want to plant something!

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