Aug
21
Written by:
host
8/21/2009 7:00 AM
This summer I am growing the garden of neglect. The garden got off to a late start. I was sick for six weeks, just at prime garden-planting time. I almost abandoned the idea of a garden, opting to let the beds lie fallow for the season. But the thought of fresh tomatoes, tasting as no store-bought tomato ever could, spurred me on. Mid-June I finally had the energy to plant the garden, with the help of my family. The advantage of waiting until later to start your garden, is that the plants are on sale. And so the garden was planted.
And then I began neglecting it. I would look out my bedroom window at the garden, as if I were spying on it. But for one reason or another, I did not even walk out to the garden to take a look. From my window I spied the pole bean plants determinedly snaking their way up the PVC frame that resembles a house. I could see that the tomato plants were growing and would soon need staking. I could also see that my garden of neglect was growing weeds.
Mid-July, I made my way to the garden of neglect. Spurred by a mixture of guilt and concern I decided that it was time to stake the tomatoes. Tomato vines sprawled in every direction, covering the raised bed, making it difficult to differentiate between the plants. Weeds intermingled with the vines, leaving no empty spaces. Starting at one corner, I slowly began to sort through the plants. Carefully I lifted the tomato vines and fastened them to the wooden stakes my husband had previously pounded into the ground. Occasionally, a particularly heavy branch would threaten to break off, requiring extra caution and vigilance. As I worked, I removed weeds, gratified by the feel of the roots being plucked from the soil.
On these vines, these plants that I have mostly neglected, tomatoes are now growing. A few tomatoes are ripening, promising mouth-watering BLT’s in the near future. Even without my constant care, the plants have continued to thrive. Perhaps they have not been growing to their full potential, yet they are growing. Resilient creatures these tomato plants.
In the next garden bed, the pole beans have completely covered the “bean house”. No beans yet, but blossoms give hope that they will be visible soon. In the third bed, acorn squash are ripening on their vines. Peppers are beginning to appear. The basil is ready to be picked and made into pesto. The fourth bed is a mass of raspberry plants that reappear every year with little effort on my part. Splashes of color indicate that raspberry season is here.
The garden of neglect has reminded me that although I am a caretaker, the garden grows even when I am unable to give it my full attention. God, you see, has not neglected my garden. I offer praise and thanksgiving to the Caretaker.
~Sally Hoelscher