So it’s been a while…. how many of you have been in your garden these last few months? Or just wrapped up warm and stayed indoors? It’s fair to say I have a love hate response to the garden at this time of year. I always love getting outside to do some of the jobs that need doing – and no matter what time of year it is, there are always jobs to do. At the same time, I hate the thought of leaving the indoor warmth of the house. It’s a case of the thought is worse than the deed, and once I’m there I just get on with the job and all thoughts of indoors and warmth seem to disappear. It’s a little easier if at the least it’s not raining when I start the job. That I do object to and so if I can avoid it, I’ll delay going out until it’s a drier day. But then I have ended up not going out for a few weeks because each time I had time, the weather was wet, whereas the dry days I’m already busy doing other stuff… Like I say, it’s a love hate thing…. So what are the jobs in themselves that you love/hate? Turning the compost is one of those for me – I love the joy of discovering lovely mature compost ready to use on the garden, but am not so keen on the back ache I sometimes get from turning it and not varying my posture enough. I love the sight of a nice weed free flower bed but getting down on my hands and knees to weed it for long periods of time is again not my best idea of fun. Let’s face it gardening has so many joys, but it’s not without its challenges too. So on balance, what is it that we strive for to help us through the challenging bits that make the good stuff worthwhile? For me, I find great motivation to have a really clear picture in my head of what I’m trying to achieve which really helps me when the going gets tough in those more labour intensive jobs. I love the little joys of seeing the shoots first appear and then gradually each time I’m out noticing how they’re growing, swelling in to bud and eventually bursting through in to leaf or flower. I love that brief but oh so powerful scent of Sarcococca confusa as I brush past it to my front door and I love being able to sit down at the end of a day of jobs around the garden, with a cool glass of something refreshing (!) and being able to see the fruits of my labour (pun intended!). Whatever it takes, you’ll all have your unique motivators to get you out there, and so whatever they are, do it! It’s so worth it!
Category: Gardening