"Please sir. May I have a bit of earth?"

5:46 PM Edit This 11 Comments »
A quote from my favorite book. The one my mom used to read to me whenever I'd threaten to run away. (Frequent. I was a horrid child. Really. Go figure.) She'd sit down on the floor and start reading a new chapter as I was packing my bag. By the time five pages were done, I was mesmerized and had forgotten why my dolly was in a backpack.

Living with Gay Boyfriend has some serious advantages. I have my own apartment completely separate from him, but I'm also a part of the household. It's the best of both worlds. I'm alone, but I don't have to be. Plus, I have a whole backyard that's all mine! He doesn't much care for the great outdoors, so the swing and the firepit, the grill and the lawn are usually all mine. AND, I found out that the previous owners used to have a garden along the fence. I've dreamed of a garden for years now. Apartment dwelling with it's inherent container gardening has taken it's toll on me. I made my dad dig a garden up at the parish house I lived in one year, but I was mostly drunk, so nothing much grew. This year, despite the rain and the cold of early summer, I got my garden.
Mom and dad came to visit on Saturday, and when the day dawned warm and sunny, I calculated my plan. By the time they got out of the car, I was shouting, "Hurry! We've got work to do! Places to go! Plants to buy! Mud to play in!" And we were off. An hour later, having visited Campbell's, Lowe's and Home Depot, with a stop in at Ruby Tuesdays for lunch, we dug in.
A common look for me. What the hell did I get again? And dad saying, "Um, Kate? You bought too many plants." I figure the rabbits will eat half of them, so whatever.

Even my mom can't resist a shot at my ass.
And here it is. I know it's not a good shot, but I'll tell you what's in it. Toward the back and on the right are Black Eyed Susans, Mountain Blues, Rose Speedwell, and French Lavender. In the front are a lone Lobelia interspersed with Red Salvia and Gazanias. The left side was appropriated for produce. WAY too many tomato plants - both yellow and red. The yellow ones were marked as "distressed" for 50 cents. They are no longer distressed and are doing quite nicely thankyouverymuch. There's oregano and basil as well. Along the fence line are green beans, to the left is butternut squash and smack dab in the middle of it all are sugar snap peas.
This is a lone green pepper plant with seeded chives.
And my absolute favorite. Regular lavender which I use for everything. I'm so happy. So, so happy. I can't even tell you how much I love to garden. It's part of Kate and the Universe time in the mornings. A few weeds here, a few words there, some prayers thrown to the wind and I've got the makings for a wonderful day. Working in the dirt feeds my soul. That, and at the end of the summer, I'm sure we'll be throwing tomatoes against the fence for stress reduction.


11 comments:

Allie said...

I love growing peppers and lavender. Two of my favorites to grow. Congrats on your garden!

Captain Crab said...

Where is the Coreopsis with fluted petals?

carrster said...

Yay for gardens! You got a LOT planted!! Keep us updated on their progress!!

Anonymous said...

My garden is my favorite thing about summer! You're going to have sooo much fun with it!

Michael Horvath said...

Not being much of a gardner I can say that it is one hobby of my ex's that my yard sure misses.

Unknown said...

I don't know why I'm so damn excited about your garden. I'm smiling like an idiot. I have always wanted a veggie garden. I have flowers, shrubs, plants, and some herbs, but no veggies. I'm kind of scared, I think. BTW you need some mint. If you lived close, I'd give you a start of my chocolate mint. Very hardy, smells fabulous, and makes great tea! Oh, and very nice ass! :)

twinkie said...

Ooooooh!! You just gave me a GREAT idea!!

buffalodick said...

You love to garden as much as I hate it!

rachaelgking said...

Well look at you, Miss Green Thumby! I'm big on herbs in the window sill, but other than that, I am CLUELESS when it comes to gardening. Lovely job!

Sweetly Single said...

nice bum!lol

blakspring said...

now you've got me wanting to plant stuff. i had done well with basil in the past but i killed the cilantro pretty quickly.
(of course my apartment is still a construction zone with no bathroom so maybe i should focus on that.)