by Ann Atwood

Created on: February 27, 2009

JOYS OF GARDENING

Late winter: It's the time of year that I have trouble dealing with. Although the sky promises us extra minutes of precious daylight, there is the sense of knowing we are still in winter. It's a Netherland of cold and dark. My yearning to be outdoors, see green, bask in the warmth of a newborn spring lures me. So I begin to dig out my seed catalogues if only to see those brilliant colors that will show themselves in the not too foreseeable future.

It's usually my feet that have wanderlust, but at this time of the year it's my five senses that wander through an imaginary garden. My love for living, growing plants begins to awaken within me as I prepare for the upcoming spring, summer and even into early fall.

One does not need a lot of resources to bring forth flowers or plants. Just a few plants at a time, lots of patience and the love for beauty are the main ingredients. I'm far from a master gardener, nor am I a garden goddess, however, I've developed a way to sooth the soul through nature. Unlike many gardeners who have large, spacious areas to plan their gardens, I do not have that fortune bestowed upon me. Being an apartment dweller with a small parcel of land behind it causes me to be very inventive with my gardening wishes.

When I moved into my apartment several years ago, I was faced with a huge asphalt parking lot, behind which was a stunted stone wall with weeds that protruded from the unseen soil. To most, this spot would have just been iqnored, but I could see something that others could not. Vines spiraled around an unused barbeque grill. I instantly knew this poor, neglected parcel would need labor intensive assistance to try to bring it to life. It was toward the end of August so between moving and time constraints I was unable to put my plan in place. So my gardening would have to wait until the coming year.

Beginning in the spring I began to weed out that horrible little spot. I'd head out in the morning while it was cool and work, even if only for a short time. Slowly but surely something began to take place. I could actually see the ground and now could begin to envision what could actually be accomplished. Out went the weeds, thorns, stones, sticks and any other inanimate object I found. I did keep some of those stones to use at a later date. This project went on for quite some time until at last, there it was! A piece of land, sloped, that lead down to that small wall. On the back side was a huge retaining wall in beautiful

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