PlantingSeedsBlog.com

A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.

~Doug Larson

Weeds are nature’s graffiti.

~Janice Maeditere
Criticizing another’s garden doesn’t keep the weeds out of your own.

~Author Unknown

Standing in my garden, surrounded on all sides by weeds up to my thighs, I feel a sense of impossibility. I can’t even see the dirt, how will this land ever produce more than prickly non-sence?

And somehow, I’m reminded of every obstacle in life; every moment that feels as if it will never end and every bridge that feels as if it cannot be crossed. My mind floods with dreams and the impossibility is shoved aside.
I don’t mind weeding. I actually LIKE weeding. I like the feeling of dirt under my nails. I like the catharsis that comes in that last moment when the root pops out of the ground. I like feeling like I’m wining some battle (even if it is just for today). But, I realize, this is not a job for me and my hands. If I put on my gloves and start pulling these weeds- I will never win. So, I call Gabriel.
Gabriel says he’ll weed the garden for $50 and for $10 more he’ll throw in a flower bed. Sold.
Gabriel came this morning and I happened to be gone while he was here. He worked fast and, two hours later, when I returned he was already done. On inspecting my garden, I realized I made two mistakes:
1.I was gone when the work was done
2.I was unclear with what “weeding” meant to me
The weeds were gone. But, not pulled. Gabriel had mowed them down. While this is helpful, it doesn’t get me to a garden with workable soil.

It DOES however get me access to the fence. Which is great, because all of the kids in the neighborhood will be here tonight to paint it!
I’ll have to deal with the weed issue later- maybe I’ll till the soil?
current garden costs:
Weed mowing $60

Short Term Goals:
Paint the fence
Till Dirt
Continue research on best seeds planting times

I recently re-introduced myself to the world of gardening after leaving my home garden in the hands of renter for two years.

What was once a lush and productive home vegetable garden has become an overwhelming weed heaven. I’ve decided to approach this problem as an opportunity for a  fresh start.

I intend to use this blog to share my process, progress, inspirations and revelations. I have frequently looked to the web for guidance in gardening, for how-to information and before and after examples. However, I have discovered that gardening, unlike building a chair or painting a room, is a process that can not conform to a step-by-step brochure. Gardening is an art, a relationship, and a series of beginnings and endings.

In the past, I’ve had a very traditional home vegetable garden. I’ve had rows of beans, carrots, melons, peppers and various other home garden staples. I’ve haphazardly planted seeds that looked appealing or somehow delicious from various stores and websites. I’ve never put much thought into what to plant next to what or which corner of the garden to use. I’ve never tracked what was planted where in past years and how that may effect the future years. I just planted, watered and prayed.

My weed heaven is giving me the opportunity for a fresh and intentional approach. An opportunity to put thought and  design into the relationship, to bank on research rather than simple prayer and to share and document my experience.

My short term goals:
-Remove weeds and add high quality soil
-Research optimal seeds planting times
-Paint garden fence