THE EXERCISE PARADOX
About preventing gardening injuries, sod removal and a late March ice storm
Dear Reader,
Last week’s weather was, as to be expected for late March, a mix of things. Light flurries, followed by a hot bright sun, then a cold wet wind brought rain which stayed through the week’s end. North of Grimsby, it was ice. Visually spectacular, but no time to relax for gardeners. Ice reveals the weakest branches. In a way, for gardeners, spring is like an ice storm. For gardening, I rely heavily on injury prevention, spending time in winter on cardio, strength, and flexibility.
Designing for Designers
About designing a garden for an interior designer and an architect.
A few years ago, I was invited to design a small front garden for the home of an interior designer and an architect. They brought to the table an aesthetic opinion on the garden space and language to communicate it (their drawings were immensely helpful). I brought plants and some knowledge of their change over time. Designing gardens, like music, movies, magic and endless others, is a time art. Time arts are designed in a time frame; Things can be arranged in order of happening, which allows for endless effects.
The Four Seasons
Summer Sundays are introspective. I spent the last one sitting in our garden, eyes half closed, half open, watching the halo of pollinators crowning the towering, flowering Joe Pye weed.
I’m attempting to master the difficult art of sitting still. I’ve already vacated my lawn chair to get a little table, then iced tea, a large book on charcoal barbecuing, and a second, smaller one on the tiny lives of mosses. Eventually persuaded by lethargy, I observe the want of anything else pass by like the sparse clouds dawdling across the blue sky.