No, I wasn’t talking about my hair, or my legs or height, or my bank account or the number of times I’ve been to France. (mais j’avoue j’adore la France) I was talking about my new seedlings and plants for the vegetable garden.
Cardoon, heirloom tomatoes, (including Cherokee Purple and German Johnson) cucumbers, yellow squash, asparagus, basil, chives, winter savory, tarragon and all the other herbs in-between are progressively surmising foolproofing tactics into let it grow mode.
This is the first time in my adult life since I lived on “The Farm,” or at my former home in Asheville, that I actually have the time and the land and the devotion, sweat and stamina that it takes to let it grow. This time of year just crowds my forever preoccupied mind in endless thoughts, ideas and possible endeavors of what I can engage in to let it grow.
I tilled an approximate 6 by 15 foot space that was encroached with wire grass and other nitrogen enriched invasives, and then built a fence to deter Peter and all the relatives. I decided to hang a very large mirror on the back wall of the garden to reflect light and positive energy, but after the last major storm, it is necessary to rain and windproof a hanging mirror of such size. I have decided to cover any exposed soil with a layer of thick newspaper and then cover it with mulch to stave off the weeds. Hopefully this will oust out the invasives and as the newspaper decomposes, the earthworms that have gravitated will make the soil deep black and abundant in nutritious vitamins that any plant would crave to let it grow in.
After much research and thought I have decided that containers also prove to be suitable canvases for growing ornamentals and vegetables and what I once thought was the proper traditional garden has turned into wherever, whenever or whatever seems the most suitable place to grow and thrive. I found an old enamel wash pan that was full of holes around the side and on the bottom, so I decided to plant succulents. I inherited some “old man” planters from my sister Barbara (deceased) and planted some Jade in those and I found some old enamel pitchers that I stuffed with hen and chicks. A 20 year old tall and bright blue pot (complements de Philippe) is graced with a soon to be yellow brugmansia, an Angel Trumpet. So the search and fascination and creativity continues not only with the land, but also with the container…
I have also developed a fascination with all types of vines. I can envision them climbing on all types of mediums from a fence to a piece of lattice to a porch bannister or even a utility pole. Vines give such beautiful coverage yet offer a hidden, secret intrinsic side, too. Passion flower, Cardinal flower, Madagascar spinach, and Seven Sisters Rose…the list continues on and on. This year has been such a renaissance in this chapter of my current state of let it grow. As we hasten into the glow of Summer, knowing that once again we shall experience the distant yet encroaching Fall and once again Father Winter, we can rest easy knowing that Spring will be right around the corner and we can look forward to and prepare once again to let it grow.
Pamela C Armstrong 