Mother Nature took control and made it rain today.

Thanks, Mom. Because I need to cool it for a day. I’m really, really tired. I’ve been doing a lot around here and there are still things that need to be done. But less and less, thankfully, as I cross items off my many lists.

One of the things I noticed in the Community Garden was how densely every bed was planted. Now, I know that takes place over time, but one of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is this: gardening takes a toll on my body – specifically, my back. And it’s a lot of work. The more plants I add, the less space there is for weeds and the less mulch is needed (both jobs give me a backache.) That’s a lot of plants to add and it won’t happen in one season. Much of the big garden bed is full of plants, simply because the David Phlox and bee balm and decorative grass have spread (thank goodness!) I need to do the same kind of thing with the memorial garden and the garden beds on the other side of the house.

I love our property, but it’s not flat, it has several different levels, and that makes gardening and mowing life harder. Plus, we’re really in ‘wild’ country, so there is a constant battle to keep the wildness from taking over. If I left it alone for a few summers, it would be a mess.

These are my thoughts as I acknowledge that I’m not 30 but more than twice that age. I also need to lose some weight and my allergies have been going haywire this year, so all of that takes a toll. But I love gardening. It seems to be when I am happiest, feel at peace, and it’s a great stress reducer. And, at this insane time in our country, that is most welcome.

We can’t afford a gardener, nor would I want someone else doing the things I love to do. Just as I would never use a decorator. I sort of feel the same way about mowing – I know the quirks of this property, the divots, the little holes, the areas that have to be mowed or the ‘wild’ will take over, that kind of thing.

Sigh. Mission this year: plant more. And find inexpensive plants because I’ve already spent a lot.

I did get some pots planted for the porch yesterday, as well as the barrels and galvanized planter on the funky patio. I finished mulching.

Here’s a little update, some photos I took toward the end of the day.

You can see that the hostas and coneflowers are growing more and more each day.

I bought some lobelia for one of the new pots. I just plopped it inside the bigger pot.

Not the best quality photos, I snapped them rather hurriedly, but they give you an idea of what’s happening – at least on the porch. More will be coming of the garden beds.

I love gardening. It may be my favorite thing to do. I look forward to it every year. This year, winter went on so long that it made the need to get things going even more pressing (especially planting seeds.) All the seeds have been sown and Mother Nature is taking care of the watering duties today.

I’m off to Rick and Doug’s for some French Toast, a laugh or two, and time with Sam. They’ve had gardeners there for the past week clearing out some of the overgrown spaces and I can’t wait to see what it looks like now.

Happy Saturday.