Mornings in the Garden

Last week we had the pleasure of having Two Women and a Hoe do some work for us again. This time it was a big job! They transformed our front yard into a garden that is really turning heads in the neighborhood.

It's only been five days, but my new garden has already had a great effect on my state of mind. Every morning I got out to water each new plant and check on their well-being. Are they getting enough water? to much water? I am amazed at how the rose bushes are blooming profusely, and the other bushes are sprouting new leaves. There are 57 plants and one tree, and it seems that I can remember each one and remark upon it's personal growth.

The tree and I are becoming great friends. Every day I begin the watering with the Red Bud-Forest Pansy tree by sitting on the nearby boulder and letting the water wash around the tree for a really long drink. I think about the beauty of the day and my surroundings. I then take my hose down the path and around each plant.

There is one special rose bush that I've become very fond of. The bushes all look identical, but when you get to know them, you'll see that one has blooms that are just a half shade lighter than the rest. I feel a special kinship with this "different" sister. I was the girl who grew up playing "war" with the boys because I was the only girl my age on the block. I was the girl who took up the coronet instead of the flute. In fact, when everyone else traded in their coronets for trumpets, I refused. I preferred the more mellow rounder tone of the coronet. I was the girl who read science fiction and watched Star Trek. And when computers first entered the workplace, and everyone else went running scared of the monster, I embraced it. (Thank you, Mr. Spock.)

Being a little different isn't uncomfortable to me. I love those parts of me that may seem a little "off" to others. I like to think that, like the rose, I add a little something unique to the garden.

Blueberry Tarts, Camille Tea and a New Garden!

I've been enjoying blueberries lately, so this morning I tried my hand at blueberry tarts made from scratch. By the time they were ready to sample, the ladies from Two Women and a Hoe had begun work on putting together my new garden. I'm still amazed on how fast they work!

Among the plants now residing in my garden are a pink Double Knock Out Rose, Coneflowers, Coral Bells, Shasta Daisies, Montana Rubens Clematis and an Annabell Hydrangea in addition to the veteran Lilac, Bridal Veil and Stella D'Oro.

One of the best things about this garden? It's almost maintenance free! Jan told me that I don't really need to do anything in it until next spring.

After they left the dogs and I went out to visit the garden. Duncan and Gracie loved the new scents they found there.

After taking a few pictures, we went back into the house. I sat in my sunroom, looking out at my new garden, drinking camille tea and eating a blueberry tart, with harp music playing in the background.

Does it get any more mellow than this?

Two Women and a Hoe

My gardening philosophy has always been, "If it can't survive neglect, it doesn't deserve to live." Yet, due to poor health, I've been unable to get out in my garden even to clear out the weeds all spring and summer. The more the garden became overgrown, the more it bothered me. Then last week I saw a truck in our neighborhood that advertised, "Two Women and Hoe." I smiled at the humor of it and drove by. Before I had finished my task and returned home, I had decided to give these women a call to see if they could lend me a hand in my garden.

My call was greeted enthusiastically by Jan. Within a few days she arrived at my house with her partner and they attacked my garden with energy and efficiency. In a very short time they had turned the jungle into good, clean earth and properly pruned bushes.

Jan had discussed with me several things we could plant to make the garden colorful and low maintenance. As I kept wandering back to the garden throughout the day and evening, I imagined the magic we could create in that fertile land. Each time as I walked back to the house, I pulled each weed I passed in the yard and picked up the twigs that had fallen from the tree. I looked around and saw little improvements I wanted to make.

The dogs have also been drawn to the garden. Gracie has always enjoyed the view from the highest level, but she has been avoiding it this year because of the tall weeds. Now she runs out to the garden almost as soon as she is let into the yard. (That is, as long as the grass isn't wet - she's doesn't like to get her paws dirty...)

As my home has been cleaned and organized these past couple of weeks, I've found that my attitude has been improved greatly. I've enjoyed not having things spill out of closets as I open them, and being able to find things without hunting for them. But my garden is the greatest joy of all. The best part is the anticipation of watching the garden being transformed by someone who really knows how to do it, and who is willing to create something that I will be able to take care of properly myself once it is done.

Thanks, Two Women and a Hoe!