Today was our city's annual garden tour. It's one of the highlights of every summer as it gives me the opportunity to absorb other landscapes and if I am very observant, to see the personality of the gardener reflected also. Everyone was so friendly and generous.....true gardeners have charming souls.
For the past 28 years, I have been nurturing and creating my own idea of gardening paradise. I literally started with nothing, not even a single tree or blade of grass. But, it was a clean slate to do with as I pleased and am now enjoying the reward of my labors.
The months of May through September are Wisconsin's relatively short growing season. At least it's too short for me! Planting, weeding, harvesting and preserving, completely take over my spring and summer seasons. I am totally enthralled with my gardens and every growing thing. After the endless, cold winter months, I can barely contain myself and find any excuse to dig in the rich, fragrant earth. I rather feel like a flower myself, unfurling and blossoming in the warmth of the sun.
There are my perennial borders, which run the length of my backyard against the fence, my very large vegetable patch, various herbs, annuals, shrubs, trees and my tiny "orchard". The gardens enable me to live according to the rhythms of nature, the cycle of the seasons and with all the creatures that come with it. I know where I am in the grand scheme of life and I embrace every moment.