A little garden magicGardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. ~Lindley Karstens
By Mermaid Shelley
Some of my earliest memories are of being in a garden. When I close my eyes I am easily transported back to my grandmother's vegetable garden. I hear the bees zipping around and the chickadees chirping. The smells of hot soil and freshly mowed grass fill my little nose. Grandma and I pull up carrots and beets, pluck string beans and fill a big bowl full of plump raspberries. Sometimes when I was a bit too energetic, grandma sent me outside to cool my jets. I usually wandered over to her garden to calm down. The garden still does this for me, it's a magical place.
This garden magic must be in the family blood, because my mom is an ardent gardener. I have memories of many seasons of potatoes, asparagus, squash, tomatoes, strawberries, cabbage, and much more. Mom's gardens were huge! My sister, brother and I had to help with all phases, especially weeding. They grumbled and moaned, hating every little green weed, swearing they would never make their kids do such hard labor as weeding. I didn't complain all that much, because I actually liked it. Even then, it was satisfying to see the transformation of a sprout to a fruit-bearing plant.
Mom with a cat in her right and a spud in her left. Just look at the size of those potatoes!There is nothing quite like sitting in the midst of sun-ripened tomatoes. I love smelling their strange perfume and touching the tight red skin of the fruit. I wanted to share this joy with my children. When they were little, I encouraged them to dig in the dirt with me, to experience the thrill of seeds bursting through the soil and watching the daily transformation. I'm not sure yet, if the garden magic has taken hold of them. Time will tell.
 
My babies, Sarah and Morgan, playing in the tomatoes
When I moved to a condominium a couple of years ago, I grieved for my garden. But, I didn't let that last too long. I figured out how I can still dig in the dirt - volunteer to work in my friends' and family's gardens! My sister has an amazing, creative garden. Last year I traveled the 2 1/2 hours to her home many times over the summer to work with her. It was so fun getting dirty and sweaty with my sister. We laughed and shared the garden magic.
My sister, Leslie, kneeling in the dirt hunting for string beans
Here I am in Leslie's garden. What luscious little tomatoes
Nobody said gardening is pretty. But who cares? It's not a spectator sport!
This summer I look forward to much more time in the garden. Look for me there, because when the sun is shining, the soil and plants call my name - it's just a little garden magic.
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