Follow me. You’re invited to join me in the garden…
Getting ready for show time.
When I design a new garden or renovate an elder one, I imagine I feel a bit like I am a putting on a theatrical production. I’m in charge of every production role, from playwright, to costume and set designer, craft services, box office and director. The plants are the actors, and if I want them to perform, they need to be nurtured.
I’ve long been a painter/illustrator, but I discovered I’m a sculptor too! With plants as my central medium: 3-dimensional but organic and ALIVE. When I’m not looking, they grow and change every day. Sometimes with the magic and mystery of little elves. Other occasions can be a bit traumatic (like when someone eats them or stomps on them). The plants tell me what they need via their own version of ‘sign’ or mime language. But, I remain limted as a mere mortal. The ebbs and flows of weather and the seasons are in charge. I just work for (with) them.
I get to know the characters’ (a.k.a. plants’) personalities and preferences first. I try to keep them happy and make adjustments when they seem discomfited, working with the environmental elements beyond my control and offering a little TLC with what I can. (Much more to come on this subject throughout the season.)
I learned about ornamental and edible gardening for the first time more than 10 years ago (first, from an amazing mentor, then independent study and experimentation, then a Green Certificate from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, during the first autumn of Covid). Now, I want to share what I know with you in weekly posts.
Some will be educational, some will ask questions.
All with have photos or illustrations.
There will be informative tips about growing plants to eat or flowers to smell and look at.
I will also share fun, creative ways of enriching your life and style with stuff that grows — herbaceous and woody plants, dog luv, creativity...
Feel free to join me in sharing your approaches, processes, pics. I find it to be a great way to redirect my attention away from chaotic news we live through today. Maybe you want to try it too?
