Sometimes neglect yields great surprises. My garden is my sanctuary and I feel very disconnected when I am not able to spend time weeding and cultivating. These times when I feel so overwhelmed by life, my friend Mother Nature steps in as if to say, “I’ve taken care of your garden for you so you can catch your breath.” This seems to be a frequent occurrence in my land of fruits and vegetables.
The month of March entered and left so quickly that when I finally took time yesterday to purge the lettuce gone to seed, I was able to take a closer look at the activity. It was as if a magic spell was cast upon my garden and my fairy godmother left behind a few things to surprise me.
A layer of gravel lays between my raised garden beds. It’s not unusual for random weeds to pop up and survive in this bone dry rocky dirt. Over the weeks, I watched as unusual “weeds” randomly sprouted. I did not pull them out, thinking they might be dandelions. Yesterday their identity was revealed – they are Italian Chicory from last winter’s garden. How amazing that they rooted themselves in gravel, amid serious neglect and are now growing tall dark green stems! Even though I am surprised, these guys found a place to camp that mirrors their native southern Italy with its dry, arid weather. This was one of my favorite plants last year as it finished off its cycle with profuse periwinkle blue blossoms that continued to bloom into May. These squatters can stay as long as they like.
The leaves of my hidden beets are so pretty, I admired them, (and ate their leafy green tops all winter) longer than I should have. As I finally plucked them from the earth, they emerged as veggies on steroids, at least twice their normal size. Lesson learned. These will be pickling beets – ginger pickled – to be enjoyed for weeks to come.
As I made my way to the back fence to check on my grapes, all I could do was gasp. My severe pruning last fall paid off and now the vines are reaching over the fence. The best surprise – teeny, tiny clusters of lime green infant grapes clinging to the tendrils! It was as if they grew a foot overnight. Summer fruits awaits.
It’s time to plant tomatoes and I am in love once again! Thank you my gardening fairy godmother for continuing to keep me dazzled and inspired.
“However many years she lived, Mary always felt that ‘she should never forget that first morning when her garden began to grow’.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Ciao for now! Love,
Mary
As always, you lift my spirits with your super attitude. I can smell the strawberries; I can imagine the grapes; and I can smell the clear clean air of Southern Calif. Thank you again cuz……………. luv j
Your blog is ALWAYS wonderful. A lot of work to present great posts. Love following your gardening life. If you have time, visit me this month while participating in the AtoZ Blog Challenge. Chicago, Seattle, Rome, Lucca and Pienza part of the settings for a new novel out sometime this April. Wish I could have talked with you while I was doing research. Love your garden’s fairy godmother!
Your garden loves you…as you witnessed, some plants will endure and find their way back because you showed you care about them. They speak to you. Time and talent treat you to an abundant harvest.🌿
Thank you Jane. I appreciate your comments and yes, the strawberries are fragrant and our skies are blue and beautiful. We are blessed to have the weather to support year-round gardening. YOU lift my spirits!
Thanks Stepheny! I love your blog too. Your insights and research amaze and inspire me. Can’t wait for your new book, especially since it involves Italy! How can I purchase it?
Mommabird, I love your words of wisdom. You are a bright light and you have taught me to appreciate life and to nurture what I want. Thank you ever more!
Love your “beets with attitude”! And the quote from The Secret Garden–one of my favorite reads as a child. Your garden is luscious. My gardening takes place in large pots on the deck, but nothing doing yet. We have had a week of heavy storms, but the grass is turning green and the purple blooms on my magnolia tree are opening outside my kitchen window. April 15 is officially the “frost free” date for our zone, so I’ll be heading for the nursery soon. If I could send some of our rain your way, I would!