There has been a lot of rain and wind as we wrap up April and head into May. Fortunately, we were spared the tornadoes that have impacted many to the north, south, and east of us! We have had our share of cleanup both from downed trees and some minor flooding, but consider ourselves fortunate. We have mitigated some of the trouble spots, and are seeing some success, but our most critical problem is that the lateral field is no longer working as it should.  Back when this home was constructed, 30 or so years ago, the soil perked. These many years later, the heavy clay soil composition no longer supports the lateral field. It will, instead, be necessary to dig a new pond (and not the sort we would have preferred).

We continue our efforts to move the downed trees, but the ground has become so saturated that we do not want to drive the tractor around and churn up the grassy area. Instead, we are attacking the limbs with a chainsaw, and using a small trailer on the UTV to transport debris to the burn pile. The trunks can wait. We are also working to finish planting in the vegetable and flower gardens. Today’s task list includes tidying up the strawberry patch and getting my giant marigolds and sunflowers planted! It is ironic that the moisture we are cursing now, is the moisture we will be praying for in August!

Okay, it isn’t really that bad. There are several gardens that need our attention, and that is a beautiful thing. Here in the Midwest, it’s always a dance; we wait patiently for that perfect moment to plant. Sometimes we hesitate too long, and sometimes we think its been too long, only to experience a late, killing frost.

We have tilled our vegetable garden plot twice, and yesterday transplanted the tomato plants from my teeny weeny greenhouse, into the earth. Today, if I can ever ingest enough coffee to warm me up, I will do the same with the peppers. We have been “hemming and hawing” over what else we want out in that area. I would really like to grow some cabbage, but my partner doesn’t like planting stuff that is “one and done.” While I understand where he is coming from; leaving a portion of the garden unplanted is cutting our nose off to spite our face. Maybe we should plant Brussels Sprouts! I have seen YouTube videos that offer tips for growing them for the duration of the growing season by cutting off what you need and letting the plant continue producing.

This year I do intend to grow leaf lettuce in my City-Picker Bins, up on the deck. I am hopeful that the bunnies won’t find it. Rudy, the cat, should do a pretty good job of keeping them at bay…fingers crossed. Last year I tried to start some strawberries in them, but was unsuccessful. Frankly, I was not as devoted to my plants as I needed to be. Its tough to keep up with stuff when you are gone 10 to 14 hours per day. I am currently still looking for work, and I assure you that I intend to be working much closer to home, and doing better with my work life balance. I moved here to be closer to my partner and he often told me that he “saw more of me when I lived a state away, than since moving into the same house.” It was all true. I just need to shift my workaholic predilection to include weeding, watering, and those indoor chores that are too numerous to mention!

Aside from the vegetable garden; we reclaimed several garden areas that had long-since been overrun by invasive bush honeysuckle. While we will probably always battle the return of that demon plant*, I have rhubarb and raspberries in one area; I’m trying to establish perennials in another, and, I am working on a third bed out front. Naturally, those extra areas are, solely, my responsibility. W-a-a-ay out in the front of the property we had an area in which nothing seemed to to grow. We created a 1000 square foot area and seeded it with wildflowers. We dubbed it “The Crop Circle.” Oddly enough, stuff grew in there, but not the explosion of flowers we had hoped for. We will likely take the tractor out there, rough it up a little, and plant some more wildflower seeds. Maybe we will have better luck this year!

Well, It’s warmed up a bit, and I have just about finished my container of coff-tea*. Its is time to get to work. I am so grateful for these longer days, and I am trying to make the best of my time away from the workforce. I know that soon enough, my time will, once again, no longer be my own. I will surely look back at this hiatus with gratitude, and a sense that sometimes we get what we really need, in ways that seem profoundly unpleasant at the onset. Today’s adventure will take place in the gardens for me. Where will you go?

* every time I say “invasive bush honeysuckle,” my brain starts singing “Return of the Giant Hogweed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSkgwCpuZwk )

*Coff-Tea is my once daily blend of Folgers, black tea, mushroom coffee, and Masala Chai spice. It is marvelous!