Hey, how was everyone’s weekend. Got some gardening done? Enjoyed your garden? Enjoyed someone else’s garden? What ever you ended up doing, before it gets too warm you need to stop, breath and slowly walk around. It could be your neighborhood or some one else’s. It could be the local park or soccer filed. There is always something to view and be amazed by.
I had an intense weekend and all I will say, is even though I can be off balance in my personal life, (as we all can at times), my garden always has something to tell me. The trick is having the ears (sense) to listen.
Listening is key and the process is extremely organic. Please don’t think there is a perfect time to do anything. If this is how you are there will be so many opportunities missed along the way. Nature is called nature for a reason. Uncontrolled, unpredictable and then you have to manage all the other things in your life that get in the way of your perfect plans (which were never perfect to begin with).
I had a really interesting talk with a very interesting woman this weekend (wife approved). And even though there were many things probed at, there was one idea that really stuck with me. When you can find someone who can define things in terms of how you live and how you think, everything has the possibility to change. Possibilities is the key word that needs to be stressed here.
Gardens have endless possibilities. People have endless possibilities. The world we live in has far reaching possibilities. R U WITH ME. If not, I will make it as simple as I can.
Someone can show you how to do something and according to them (the professional), this is the way and to do it any other was just doesn’t work. Well, you know what I say about that. Bull Shit.
You take all the world has to give you, you determine what fits who you are and you make it work. Logic has a lot to do with the choices we make in relation to who we are and what we need (for ourselves and the world immediately around us). So STOP! Make a choice. Who are you? What do YOU need? What is the process and how do you get through the maze of endless possibilities?
Gardens begin with one plant, one color, one idea, one LOVE and then can grow in every direction imaginable. The POSSIBILITIES are beyond our imaginations. All you, me and everyone else must do is pick a spot and plant that plant. Look at it. Watch it grow. Is it meeting your expectations. Has it died. Now if you haven’t learned anything from this experience, black top and concrete make a lot of sense now.
Garden design and planting need some care. If you care you have a chance to enjoy the labor. You can be the type that doesn’t get dirty and has everyone else do the labor for you (NO PROBLEM). You still need to take ownership of who you are and what you have seen that is important to you. I want an arbor. I want a trellis with a climbing plant going up it because I saw that at someones house.
You have a certain amount of experience and if you don’t you need to go to a park, nursery, website or stretch yourself and visit an arboretum. They all have the possibility of breathing life into your world. I know I have been ranting and again thank you for your patience. I had all these plans for the weekend. I scwandered some of my time, but the world hasn’t ended and tomorrow always grants us another opportunity.
Remove grass carefully from around your young and old ornamental trees. Edge and separate garden areas from turf areas. Help climbers find their way and don’t let small ornamental trees get beyond your control. I will always say maintain the value of your landscaping by knowing it, walking around it and questioning if a branch belongs in the world you see yourself in. If you are not sure about something calling out for experienced help is encouraged. Just like building something (measure twice before cutting), look at least two times with at least two different sets of eyes before removing (unless you are me and then don’t worry because I know best, at least for me).
One Plant, One Love, good luck and enjoy.
Michael Rosenberg, a NYS Certified Arborist, is the Owner of Plant With Me, Inc., a 10 year old landscape restoration and design company located in Huntington, NY. Michael is the publisher ofwww.plantwithme.com, a gardening resource for homeowners and gardeners. For more information about Plant With Me, please call 516-860-5131, email landscapelove100@gmail.com. I also encourage you to continue your journey through this gardeners mind @ www.plantwithme.com.
Wow- really nice!