Thankful for the gifts of the garden and gardening
Thanksgiving is such a busy day, mostly away from the garden. But before we plunge into winter, I like to stop and think of all the garden-related things I am grateful for. The following is an expansion of something I wrote a few years ago, but it still holds true. As gardeners, we receive many gifts:
— Pollinators who do their thing in the garden without any prompting, and do even more with a little encouragement (and plants they love). From almonds to zucchini, California’s crops and our home gardens depend on the bees, birds, butterflies, moths and other insects, and even a few four-legged creatures.
— The trees that shade our homes, clean our air and give us organic matter in the fall, as well as provide food — for us and for the wildlife — as well as homes for birds and other creatures.
— The magical soil below us, full of nutrients and microbes and earthworms and so many things we’re not aware of as we walk over it or plant in it
— Our gorgeous Mediterranean climate, which even as it’s changing lets us work outside nearly year-round and grow so many things so well that we’re the envy of the rest of the country’s gardeners.
–The wonder of tiny seeds that turn into 2-pound tomatoes with just the right amount of tending. This never fails to amaze me every year.
— Finally, the generosity of fellow gardeners, who give freely of seeds, plants, produce, tools and advice. (Looking at you especially, my master gardener friends.) If someone says, “Oh, you’re a gardener, too!” you have instant rapport. It’s a community to cherish — an invaluable resource.
— The trees that shade our homes, clean our air and give us organic matter in the fall, as well as provide food — for us and for the wildlife — as well as homes for birds and other creatures.
— The magical soil below us, full of nutrients and microbes and earthworms and so many things we’re not aware of as we walk over it or plant in it
— Our gorgeous Mediterranean climate, which even as it’s changing lets us work outside nearly year-round and grow so many things so well that we’re the envy of the rest of the country’s gardeners.
–The wonder of tiny seeds that turn into 2-pound tomatoes with just the right amount of tending. This never fails to amaze me every year.
— Finally, the generosity of fellow gardeners, who give freely of seeds, plants, produce, tools and advice. (Looking at you especially, my master gardener friends.) If someone says, “Oh, you’re a gardener, too!” you have instant rapport. It’s a community to cherish — an invaluable resource.
This Thanksgiving in particular, I’m thankful for the generous rainfall we’ve had this month, for the cold weather this week which will help sweeten the almost-ripe oranges, and the spectacular colors of the neighborhood trees — soon to be valuable mulch or compost.
Enjoy your garden as the seasons change — and rest up for the work ahead. Happy Thanksgiving!
