Thinking about Spring

I have a memory of being at my grandparents home in Guanajuato one summer and going to their garden with my older cousins to collect some vegetables and herbs for lunch. I remember there being a small stream running though it and the garden feeling so lush and cozy with smaller trees that created pockets of shaded areas for my then 4-year-old self. In my memory that garden has always stayed as a wondrous place that transported me to a new world. It was something I stored in the banks of my mind as inspiration for what I wanted to have and the world I wanted to live in.

Last year was my first time trying my hand at gardening. There were many things to consider for the front and backyard. How will we use it, where will Ozzie run around, will he destroy the grass, will the pea gravel be uncomfortable for him to walk on, what do we want the space to feel like. We mapped it out, Miguel built a deck and I planted seeds, starting some seedlings indoors in early spring and transplanting them to the beds after the frost. I got packets of basil, fennel, jasmine, zinnias and a midwest wild flower assortment.

We discovered a few things this past year about the space: The neighbor’s tree released lots of sap and leaves on the deck; Mosquitos liked hanging out in certain areas making it a pain to be outside without some sort of protection be it fire or a huge blanket; Ozzie did really well with the grass areas; I encountered some cute insects and butterflies and many curious robins; I planted too many wildflower seeds and they grew in a tangled fashion making it a sore sight in late summer; The zinnias provided an on-going source of flowers to cut and decorate the home with; and the basil was a graciously abundant herb that we shared and used until the frost ended its season in the fall.

This year, I’m being proactive about the garden, I’m checking out books from the library before the season starts and found a few YouTube channels to pull inspiration from. I’m growing lavender in pots from the seeds I harvested from gifted lavender sprigs and since lavender is a natural rat and mosquito deterrent I’m hoping that will solve some of our pest issues. I also want to clean up the beds from all the wildflower seedlings I crowded in there last year and shift my ambitions to focus on growing more greens and paying attention to color palette combinations.

I have reasonable hopes for this year’s yield and I’m hoping it will help set the tone for the following year. Elva from my ceramics class told me it’s taken her 20+ years to get her garden where it’s at. Sometimes it’s just trial and error, patience, experimentation, continued care and an effort to learn.