For those of us inundated with the evangelisms of Red and Blue, we are more than ready for the upcoming advent of Green.
We have remained patient and persevering in preparing for the inevitable swing of spring, and planned accordingly.
As in any practice, there are many ways to plant a garden. My own efforts lie both within and around the many ways of May tricks.
In the “olden days” we applied pesticides with little thought; it being popular with what was being done and what was being sold.
People voicing concerns with these skull-and-crossbones substances were dismissed as wacky.
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Over time, it became easier to heed those growing voices as the consequences of poisonous practices became increasingly understood.
As attributed to Maya Angelou, “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”
In our area we have the parameters of hard frosts and growing conditions. Even then, these can be mitigated with cold-frame structures, soil-fortifying amendments and situating gardens in fuller sun. Freak weather remains an outlier but does not deter us from our earnest endeavors.
The vast list of viable candidates for seeds and plants can be overwhelming and we opt early for what has worked in the past and what is available.
Most anyone who has planted anything has, at some time, grabbed a pack or pot off a rack or shelf, less than certain of success but buoyed by exuberant hopes for good outcomes.
The best practices of gardening that have floated by, been planted by others or have grown on me are: trying-and-learning, persevering, composting, successive plantings, clean practices, plant ID labels and raised beds.
And while it can be paraphrased that “Philosophy grows no Gardens”, no garden is grown without a philosophy.
Philip Vaughan
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Lake Edward Township
