I’ve been feeling anxious the past few days. Anxious because everyday I’d look out the kitchen window and see the snow had melted just a little bit more. Anxious because the weather is starting to warm up. Anxious because I know it’s getting close to go time.
Anxious because other than knowing I wanted to install 4-6 garden boxes and plant a border of blue hydrangeas along the sides of the house, I was still having a hard time visualizing how it would all work out.
The garden boxes and the hydrangeas were the easy part. But what about a path, where would the garden boxes start and end, how could I turn this overgrown and disheveled space into something with clear lines and structure? How could I make the space more intimate instead of something that looked like it was plopped down in front of the house?
How could I give this space order?
And then I remembered I had taken a photo of the front garden earlier in the winter before the snow had fallen. And how I had added lines for garden boxes and hydrangea plantings. But remembering how I still felt so unsure about it all.
I must have stared at the photo for a good 10 minutes trying to figure out a game plan.
I got nowhere.
And then I noticed something in the photo I hadn’t seen before.
In the lower right hand corner.
What was that nailed to the side of the house?
Was it the trim? Was it a board? Was that a hole in the board?
And so I ran to the kitchen window and looked out.
And then I grabbed my coat and ran outside in my pj’s and slippers.
Holy crackers!!! It was a picket.
Someone, a long time ago, had a picket fence out front.
A picket fence!!! I LOVE picket fences! I especially love white houses with white picket fences. And weren’t we already planning on painting the house white anyway? Yes, yes we were!
And then suddenly, it all started to come together in my mind.
We could install a low {3 ft} white picket fence with a garden gate similar to the one we had at our last place. We could create a cute little walkway up to the door out of bricks {that we’ll be pulling up from the existing garden}.
I could grow my favorite tall sunflowers in the corner, and have a small bench on our tiny porch.
Lucy would finally have somewhere to roam off leash and a place to bask in the sunshine while I putted around the garden.
There would be clear lines and structure and everything would be neat and tidy and easy to maintain because the space after all wasn’t some giant rambling monster of a garden patch.
And then suddenly, my attitude changed from anxious to excited because I could finally see how it could all work out and be beautiful and calm and everything a garden should be.
It’s funny though how things work out. Why hadn’t I noticed that picket alongside the house until yesterday? Who knows. Maybe I wasn’t ready to receive the message {that sounds so hippy dippy doesn’t it?}.
All I know is this. Spring. It’s coming. Whether we’re ready for it or not.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Keep Calm and Carry On.
The answers will come in due time. 😉
~Mavis
Daria says
It’s that time of year – we start seeing signs of life, but boom, more snow and ice. You’re lucky to be on the coast – near Augusta, you can’t reliably garden until at least mid April.
Martine says
I’m glad it all came together in the end for you but perhaps you need to remember you don’t need to do it all in one year! Especially if this is your ‘forever’ house!! Have fun planning though! x
Sarah says
I’m glad you’ve got a plan, it what about the wildlife? A short fence won’t keep out deer…. just wondering your thoughts. I think you said you were going to watch and see what visitors you had over the year….
Christy L says
Deer were my thought too with a 3ft fence. But I wasn’t sure totally sure about the position of the fence.
Jeanine says
Yup…think deer! If they are hungry, they will find a way to jump a fence if it’s not too high. I know from experience. Don’t want you to be disappointed one morning and the garden has been gorged on. We have a double fence around our garden, 3 feet apart…..not pretty, but it works.
Mavis Butterfield says
The deer issue can be solved with translucent fishing line and thin tall dowels on the corners. Like an invisible fence, but not.
Wynne says
I love when problems get solved that way! Good for you on your plan & fence serendipity. I really admired the way your yard organization came together so quickly at your previous home–I struggle with that.
Anyway, this reminded me of the Rilke quote: “…have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”
Mavis Butterfield says
I love that!
Teri says
Glad to hear that Lucy will have a place outside
Angelia Johnson says
Thyroid issues or lack of one can have a huge effect on your anxiety levels. Trust me I know. But I am also planning my garden with all the possibilities it is uplifting and fun and exciting to know that things are a changing. Can’t wait for your pictures.
Pat from NY says
Blue hydrandeas – yes! I just lost my only daughter who died quite suddenly and she loved hydrangeas. I’ll be planting some in the yard this year in her honor as soon as it warms up here in chilly western New York. I already have a few pinks, limelights and purple-ish but the blue ones will be for her. I know your yard will look amazing and I’ll be watching your progress.
Chyrl says
Pat, So sorry to hear of your loss. What a wonderful tribute to your daughter and her love of flowers. Praying they will bring you comfort and peace. I too love hydrangeas, they are so beautiful.
Pat says
Thank you so much Chyrl for your kind reply. No parent should ever have to bury a child, but we are surrounded with loving famiy and friends, helping us through this. Bless you and your gardening!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
I am sorry to hear about your daughter Pat. I love that you’ll be planting blue hydrangeas this summer in her honor.
Joely says
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your daughter. Losing a child is something none of us should ever have to endure. Sending love, prayers, and sympathy to you and your family. I will think of you and your daughter each year when my blue hydrangeas bloom.
Nic says
After 44 years in northern NY- Spring to me is May, as in around Mother’s Day. This is when we let the dairy cows out of our barn to graze on fresh grass after being housed since November. Winter holds on tight around here and right now we are in what is called the second Winter! Blue Hydrangea is now on my dream list for my flower garden!
Pat says
I have several Hydrangeas in my yard also. My favorite! I’ve been trying to plant a new one every year now for awhile. This year I will plant a blue one in honor of your daughter.