On Sunny Lane: Hope (and Gardens) Spring Eternal

There was one summer in my adult life when I did not have a vegetable garden. I never let it happen again.

It was a miserable summer for me. I didn’t get to do all of the things that are involved with gardening—things that I like to do.

For instance, there’s the planting. The seeds I plop into the ground contain so much hope. I look forward to seeing the tiny seeds taking root and turning into the vegetables I see pictured on the outside of the seed packet.

I like to see the little seedlings pop through the soil and one leaf turn into another, until they become full-grown plants. Each day I walk through the garden and make note of the progress of each species of plant. Sometimes I talk to them and encourage them to grow.

I don’t like to see the dreaded weeds appear. They are copious and healthy. They must be pulled so they do not choke out the vegetable plants and rob them of their nutrition. It’s not an enjoyable task, but one that must be done. It does bring a sense of satisfaction once the job is done and the garden is looking neat and fresh.

It brings joy to see the vegetables appear on the plant and to watch them grow and mature.

The best part of tending to a garden is, of course, harvesting the crop and eating it. All of the work and anticipation has finally materialized.

I am a dyed-in-the-wool gardener. I can’t say I am a successful gardener—at least not every year—but I am persistent. Weather conditions are different every year and that makes a difference. Pests also need to be dealt with—hopefully, in a manner that does not upset the environment and cause harm to the plants and our bodies.

Some people live in cities, in apartment buildings, and have never seen vegetables and fruits growing. What a shame! They have not experienced the hope and anticipation, satisfaction and joy that come from having a garden.

If my garden should not be successful this summer, I will try again next year. That’s what hope is for.

After all, “Man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” Robert Browning should know.

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Dorothy is the author of two books—“Miles and Miracles” and “Getting It All Together “. You can purchase a book or send a comment by emailing her at dorothybutzknight@gmail.com