First Colors of Spring Planning My Garden
Posted By Robin Lynn Brooks on March 16, 2010
….
…
Today was meant to be spent outside. It was perfectly beautiful fresh and warm. As I was poking around making plans for rotating the plantings in this years garden I came across the very first colors of Spring. Sprinkled about were the first yellows of the forsythia, daffodils and of course the notorious dandelion. That was the fun part…
Most of my thoughts bounced high and low as I realized all the work to be done before I can transplant and sow seed. Having a garden is an ongoing project and I have to remind myself that it is not a race, it is a timed event more like a marathon.
Well my baby spinach is ready to go in the ground and will keep if I stop nibbling at it and the broccoli sprouts are peeking out beautifully also. March 17th is when I should plant my first few rows for early corn… it will most likely be on the 20th. I am so looking forward to springtime!
Here I would like to share a humorous poem by the great gardener Geoffrey B. Charlesworth, who in the late 1980s wrote a book treasured by many a garden lover called “The Opinionated Gardener”.
Why Did My Plant Die?
By Geoffrey B. CharlesworthYou walked too close. You trod on it.
You dropped a piece of sod on it.
You hoed it down. You weeded it.
You planted it the wrong way up.
You grew it in a yogurt cup
But you forgot to make a hole;
The soggy compost took its toll.
September storm. November drought.
It heaved in March, the roots popped out.
You watered it with herbicide.
You scattered bone meal far and wide.
Attracting local omnivores,
Who ate your plant and stayed for more.
You left it baking in the sun
While you departed at a run
To find a spade, perhaps a trowel,
Meanwhile the plant threw in the towel.
You planted it with crown too high;
The soil washed off, that explains why.
Too high pH. It hated lime.
Alas it needs a gentler clime.
You left the root ball wrapped in plastic.
You broke the roots. They’re not elastic.
You walked too close. You trod on it.
You dropped a piece of sod on it.
You splashed the plant with mower oil.
You should do something to your soil.
Too rich. Too poor. Such wretched tilth.
Your soil is clay. Your soil is filth.
Your plant was eaten by a slug.
The growing point contained a bug.
These aphids are controlled by ants,
Who milk the juice, it kills the plants.
In early spring your garden’s mud.
You walked around! That’s not much good.
With heat and light you hurried it.
You worried it. You buried it.
The poor plant missed the mountain air:
No heat, no summer muggs up there.
You overfed it 10-10-10.
Forgot to water it again.
You hit it sharply with the hose.
You used a can without a rose.
Perhaps you sprinkled from above.
You should have talked to it with love.
The nursery mailed it without roots.
You killed it with those gardening boots.
You walked too close. You trod on it.
You dropped a piece of sod on it.
“Why Did My Plant Die?” can be found in Geoffrey Charlesworth’s book “The Opinionated Gardener- Random Offshoots from an Alpine Garden”, were he still with us here to welcome the new spring season, I suspect that he, too, would be thinking about and hoping for the best as he played in the soil cleaning up the garden beds as I am ((smiling))
Thanks for visiting and please let me know . Your comments are much appreciated!
Enjoy Your Day!
Robin
About the author
Hey Robin,
The poem was beautiful… it kind of reminded me of some experiences that I’ve had with gardening. It would appear though, that you have a “green” thumb.That was sooo nice to read about your love for your garden, to see those beautiful flowers and know that spring is just around the corner.
Chris
Interesting gardening post. However, your blog would look a lot better if you can change the color scheme a little bit. That should help with increasing your readers as well. Good luck!
Thank you Mr Link Building Guy! You have a good point about color, too
Ahhh Spring. I love new beginnings. The flowers are beautiful. A garden is just like a blog. Plant the proper seeds, tend it, take care of it, love it, and reap the benefits…
.-= Nick Logan´s last undefined ..Response cached until Thu 18 @ 5:41 GMT (Refreshes in 23.92 Hours) =-.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by ChrisMcCargar: Yeah… spring is here and it looks BEAUTIFUL ! Reading http://robinlynnbrooks.com/first-colors-spring-planning-garden/...
What a beautiful reminder that Spring is just around the corner. Your garden is coming up nicely. Patience and care bring it to life.
Thanks you for such an inspiring post,
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Can You Hear Me Now? =-.
Spring time is around the corner, and I only partly like it !
I want to work from home and having the sun smiling at me through my window makes
it all the harder ! But I appreciate the change of energy – people are just more euphoric, friendlier and caring.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Why YOU should be delusional ! =-.
Wow what an awesome poem! I am with you – I just love Spring – and it sounds like you are well on your way to an incredible garden this year! I wish I had that talent – tried to plant a few tomato plants for the last few years and it did not go very well – Aahh – Ode to “Why Did My Plant Die?” haha Thanks
.-= Glyna Humm´s last blog ..Dude, Where’s Your Tribe? =-.
SO Beautiful…the thoughts, the poem, and I loved your photography!
Spring is a season of “Life renewal….rebirth” and thank-you for sharing your gift and passion!
Spring blessings to You!
.-= Dr Linda Douglas´s last blog ..ARE YOU RUNNING ON EMPTY? – PART 1 =-.
Sweet!
Here in Canada (close to montreal), we’re having the most gorgeous March ever since weather statistics exists…. until today!
Some flowers already shows up.. but the 10 inches forecast of snow may end it all!!!
Michel
Thank you for this post. It gives me hope for spring. New Beginnings. Lets rock!
Oh my stars I love that poem! You inspire me to create my own garden! At least I have a place for compost, but a garden would be fabulous! Thank you for your post and I am feeling the “Opinionated Gardener”!
Love the poem ~ thanks for sharing it! And oooooh do I love spring ~ the rebirth, renewal ~ it is just a heavenly time!
And your post is well suited for business as well ~ you must plant your seeds, water your garden, tend to it regularly, handle any weeds and then giving your garden more and more love as it grows into the most beautiful garden of all!
Love the post, thanks Robin! Beautiful….
.-= Beth Allen´s last blog ..What Would You Do If You Were Not Afraid??? =-.
Isn’t Spring great!!! I’m so glad to see green things coming out of the ground and I’m anxious to for the blossoms to start on the trees! Sure appreciate this post!
.-= Phil Jackson´s last blog ..Time Management Help: Regaining Balance In Your Life =-.
Robin,
Funny how a little poem, some photos of flowers and a little sunshine get everybody talking. It must be SPRING! Living in southern California is beautiful but spring time is the best. The colors are never as vibrant and alive as they are in the spring. By mid summer were back to brown. It sounds like you have found some wonderful therapy for yourself. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
.-= Don Enck´s last blog ..Spring Break?…School Is Never Out For The Professional =-.
I loved you message Robin!!!
Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
.-= Rodrigo´s last blog ..CAUTION…YOU’RE BEING DECAPITATED BY YOUR OWN ACTIONS!!! =-.
Robin we are finally getting spring here in Michigan – but with some caution, we could still have a snow storm! I love your pictures – Thanks for the beautiful reminder – warmer weather is coming!
Our grass is green and we see the first yellow heads of dandelions in our yard. I dethatched and swept most of our yard the other day (just before the 4″ of snow came) and had nine big piles of mulch I dumped next to our garden. Yesterday I transferred all that mulch into the garden.
I have marigolds and cosmos well started to go next to our patio where we pile firewood during the winter and thyme, sage, rosemary, and lavender all started. My wife has started her peas and beans
We’ll probably purchase about a dozen roma tomato plants and couple of brandywine tomato plants, plus eggplants, sweet and hot pepper plants. Watermelon and pumpkin too. I suggested corn, but the wife is reluctant lest we attract deer or other such herbivores.
Need to look into renting or borrowing a rototiller and we are also thinking of busting up a berry patch. This fall I need to plant spring bulbs, have been meaning to do it, but keep putting off and before you know it the ground is frozen & snow covered.
I am definitely ready for summer!
.-= The Wisconsin Skier´s last blog ..Snow — Now a Four Letter Word =-.
Aloha Robin,
Beautiful pictures and the reminder of Spring! During Spring it’s time to plant the seeds. I love the cute poem which can be applied to anything in life.
Everything has a season. Thank you for the beautiful article.
Aloha,
Kellie
.-= Kellie Hosaka´s last blog ..Are You Happy & Fulfilled In Your Life? =-.
I know and our springtime is just around the corner again