In the heart of winter, as snowflakes danced in the air, I captured a moment of tranquility from my living room window - a snapshot of my front garden, untouched and serene. Today, under the relentless summer sun, I captured another moment, a testament to nature’s resilience against the heatwave.
To the right, a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables thrives - raspberries, blueberries, figs, an assortment of vegetables, tomatoes, and a variety of herbs. Zucchinis, squash, and watermelons are tucked away in the far lower right. Rose bushes, once adorned with May blooms, now stand bare, while native serviceberries, elderberries, milkweed, black-eyed susans, joe pye, feverfew, and other herbaceous perennials add to the garden’s diversity. To the left, my apple trees bear their first fruits, carefully bagged for protection.
A few years ago, I bid farewell to my front lawn, replacing it with native plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and a vibrant array of flowers. The mint, thyme, and rosemary have flourished beyond expectation. Carrots that I thought were lost last year have made a surprising comeback, their early bolting leading to solitary carrot flowers.
This garden may not fit the conventional definition of “proper,” but it brings me immense joy. It is a haven for hundreds of native bees and butterflies. In the lower left, barely visible, are daisies, mock orange, viburnums, and newly blooming gardenias. Each day brings a new surprise, a new gift from nature.
My garden is a beautiful chaos, an imperfect masterpiece, a riotous celebration of scent, color, and life. It is a labor of love, filled with happy weeds and constant work. The coming winter may undo much of it, but that doesn’t deter me. I continue to plant, to nurture, to grow. Because this garden, with all its imperfections, is a reflection of life itself - messy, unpredictable, and absolutely beautiful. I love it, just the way it is.
January 2024 June 2024
Wildly,
Diana
Kommentit