Although I have always loved nature, I have never really been a gardener. Of course, I have planted a few bulbs, scattered some seeds, grown a few vegetables, and even planted a couple of trees. But I never really thought about what I was doing.
Perhaps it is something to do with my age, but every time I plant something it feels like a little piece of magic. How can those tiny seeds I scatter grow into beautiful flowers, and fill my summer with colour and perfume? It seems impossible to turn tiny seeds into tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, beans. How can a tiny acorn grow into a huge oak, and live for hundreds of years?
On It’s Way
Despite the cold, wind, rain, and frost, tiny little snowdrops are already putting on a delightful show, daintily hanging their heads. My wisteria is showing signs of buds, and my tulips and daffodil bulbs are slowly unfurling their leaves, showing me that spring is not very far away. A while ago I might not have noticed, but now they bring so much joy! :)
When I moved into my cottage the garden was overgrown with weeds, and full of rubbish. Despite me thinking I wouldn’t be able to do it on my own, I started in one corner and slowly worked my way around.
Learning from My Mistakes
Of course, I made many mistakes. Plants in the wrong place, too much water – or not enough. But nature teaches us well and, like most things in life, I also learned from trial and error, a little intuition, a bit of research, and a lot of hard toil.
The rewards for all my hard work have been so worth it. As well as watching my garden come to life, I have enjoyed listening to the birds sing, watching them make nests, and teaching their young to fly.
I have delighted in feeding them, especially through the depths of winter. Instead of feeling like an old lady living alone, I felt like a concerned mum, making sure my brood were safe and happy. :)
Spring Cleaning
Along with tending my garden, springtime seems to energise and invigorate me. Time to give the spiders their marching orders, and get rid of the delicate cobwebs that magically appear, hanging gracefully from the beams of my ceiling!
The gleaming springtime sun seems to make my windows look as though they were last cleaned about a decade ago. Obviously, I don’t want to miss a fraction of the sunshine, so I clean them within an inch of their lives. :)
Summer Wardrobe
Next I turn my attention to my wardrobe, what a joy to bring out soft, summer dresses and colourful clothes, after the thick chunky jumpers and dark leggings of winter.
Gone are my cosy pajamas and fluffy slippers, and out come pretty nightdresses and bare feet. My hair, covered all winter in a cosy hat, is let loose to flow or put up in a pony tail.
A New Perspective
Spring also seems to change my perspective on life. I am more positive, excited, happier. I look forward to lazy days in the garden, BBQ’s with friends, chatting over a glass of wine till the early hours.
I think the most miraculous thing for me is knowing that, whatever happens in this world, seasons come and go like clockwork, and this time next year, if I am lucky, I will be watching it unfold all over again. That’s what I call magic! :)
Join the Conversation:
Do you have a favourite season? Does spring put a spring in your step? What is your favourite thing about spring?
