The remnants of last year’s little garden. Curly kale gone to seed but supplied one last meal. There was some spinach and chicory and a few brussel sprouts left to add to the meal. A fall garden’s last gift to the spring.
I have a raised bed with several different containers that produces food for a little bistro housed within a small winery. The larger containers are 80 gallon fermenters that at one time held wine that I made. Now they hold tomatoes, and cantaloupes, cucumbers, winter squash, and this year some cucamelon vines. The Salvia has returned and the undying, unrelenting mint continues to attempt to claim all. It is remarkable the amount of food that can be grown for pennies in such a small space.
A thousand times the spade split the ground. Lifting and turning unearthing the earth. I began with soil that had too much clay. Each year I amend it with last year’s straw. And last year’s dung from an elephant at the zoo.
I was happy to see many of these little guys. Hidden deep under the earth they transform last year’s straw and last year’s crap into rich food that will produce fruit and seed that will sustain me. The soul of the earth and my own soul seem to work in similar ways.
The earth is ready. Like a blank canvas it awaits my choices, ready to receive the seed, eager to hold, nourish and support the new life which will spring forth out of her. For a few hours labor, blistered hands, burned skin, and aching muscles, I will receive back beauty and nourishment for my body and my soul. The planter is one I made from a re-purposed pallet last fall. I was going to plant strawberries but chose basil to use in a fresh pesto.
My first babies of this year. They were happy in their new home.
Be Groovy!
What a joyful piece, Plato. I loved it. Gardening grounds me. Connects me to the earth. And is is magic.
It has been something right when others things seemed wrong. The work in the dirt and watcging things bear fruit has been a grace.
You’re so lucky. The deer has chewed our bushes down to the bone over the winter. We’re going to have to put up a fence if we want anything to grow.
I have had a spring summer garden for a couple years. The deer never messed with it. I planted a fall garden this time and late in the winter they enjoyed the swiss chard and spinich and cabbage. They didn’t bother the curly kale much. I am hopeing they were just hungry and spring will lead them down other paths. I like folks who grow stuff. God’s people!
This is so lovely- an ode to spring and the joy of planting and watching things grow.
I only have a small space in my garden, but I’m trying to fill it with as many insect-friendly flowers as possible as I have a bit of a bee/ bug obsession. Watching seeds come up and the plants grow, listening to the hum of insects- it’s meditation and cheap therapy rolled into one!
I understand. Our culture even here in the deep south is so disconnected from Creation. Children think tomatoes come from the grocery store. Thank you for stopping by.
There’s a little girl who came to watch you work your land. The curiosity of a child is about everything, accepting of everything. And clapping at the happy finding of the earthworm, who makes what was, something else. She loves the chain of things, how one follows the other and waits to see what will grow. Look! green leaves! Smells like tomato sauce, like mamma makes.
You are so cool! Do you know that? 🙂 And be careful of needles. It makes me very happy she came to see. 🙂 I am glad I have cool smart friends.
“The soul of the earth and my own soul seem to work in similar ways.” That is so beautiful… You could write an entire book of poetry or just a book book about that. Even when you’re working at hard labor, you’re heart and mind are still so poetic. It’s beautiful. <3
I cant help it. Sometimes I wish it would stop. 🙂 It makes it better that you appreciate it. Thank you. I put the emotion I would have had into today’s prompt in the “Gift” can I repost it? I can expand it some
Why would you want it to stop? What would happen inside you if you didn’t handle your emotions that way?
I would be honored if you want to use that. Funny. I told HL I was writing about you. 🙂 Though it sure as h*ll won’t be anything as eloquent as what you wrote. It will be from the heart, however.
Im excited!
Why would you want it to stop? What would happen inside you if you didn’t handle your emotions that way? Or were you just ignoring that? (raises eyebrow)
It makes me me but sometimes it is hard just to relax and enjoy things and be normal whatever that is. When I am in church thinking about redemption and quantum physics and holograms and politics and mind control it can be a little much 🙂
It makes me, me but sometimes it makes it difficult for me to just relax and enjoy things and be normal whatever that is. When I am in church thinking about redemption and quantum physics and holograms and politics and mind control it can be a little much 🙂 but really in the end I would rather be as odd as I am than anybody else