I used to work in my garden a lot. Along with reading and cooking, it was one of my favorite hobbies. A garden is not so hard to maintain if I work on it a little bit at a time on a frequent basis. The garden was my space. I appreciated being outdoors, having my hands in the ground, and watching the birds, the bees, and the butterflies along with the changes of the seasons. And people appreciated the garden. I designed it organically. I started with a few plantings and then worked my way around them. I chose plants that were interesting and pretty. I chose plants that attract beneficial insects and birds.
Then I had all of those stupid surgeries. I got behind on every imaginable household task. And I got really tired. My yard got overwhelming. I’ve got tired of the jungle of weeds. I am not a super tidy person but I have more of a love of order than do my family members. Consequently, my house is typically about 50 times messier than I would like it to be. I spend a lot of time picking up after other people and I do a pretty bad job of it because there’s so much picking up, putting away, and cleaning to do. My home office is in need of a clutter coach. Who am I kidding? My whole house is in need of a clutter coach.
A few weeks ago, I made a bold move. It was also expensive. I hired landscapers to weed my front yard. They weeded, pruned, deadheaded, and mulched. And it was like I could breathe again. Weeds started to pop up again in the last week. I was able to go out and take care of them because it wasn’t an overwhelming task. I spent a couple of hours in the garden today, including time chatting with neighbors, which is also an invaluable part of the gardening experience. It was an amazingly beautiful day and I had a wonderful time. This was the first time I’ve worked like this in my yard in nearly a year. It was like a resuscitation.
I hope that I will be able to continue working in the yard on a regular basis because it has been such a great love of mine. I can see how I feel tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy my spring garden!
My Eyes Are Up Here 
Beautiful gardens! I’m looking forward to seeing it in person in June!
Hooray!
Your garden is beautiful. Thank you for sharing the photos. If you are happiest in the garden, when you are physically able to work in your garden — make it your priority. Let the other household tasks wait. I am a work-in-progress gardener, and I love sitting on patio enjoying, viewing and taking care of the flowers that I planted. Thank you for sharing.
You are wise as always, Yvonne.
This was a timely post for me as I’m starting to think about getting outside now that the snow is finally gone! Almost anyway. I have scaled way back on my gardening since cancer. I try not to worry about keeping up with weeds and such anymore, but of course, this is easier said than done. Good for you for hiring a little help and now you feel resuscitated, so it was worth it!That’s gotta feel nice. And your gardens look wonderful. Thanks for sharing the photos with us.
Yes, it was money well spent. So far, so good.
Keeping up with weeds is difficult, though mulching helps a lot. You look like you have a very beautiful place whether you plant things or not. It looks filled with nature like my parents’ house. My mom plants around the edges of trees and the border in front of the forest.
I love gardening too Elizabeth but had to get help last year. This year it’s all mine again and I’m glad, it’s a retreat from the madness of the outside world (and the mountains of clutter my family make that I just can’t keep on top of no matter how much I try). Your garden is looking beautiful, the tulips are gorgeous and I’m glad you have your haven back this year too.
I’m glad you got help, Tracy. Your garden looked like a great deal to manage while you were going through treatment. And now it’s yours, yours, yours! It’s like having our own artist studio, I think. Especially for me, since I can’t draw or paint well at all.
Your garden is lovely. Nothing wrong with getting some help. Now if you could just talk your parents into doing the same!
The yard is magnificent! I love the flowers.
Thank you, kindly! It is just getting started.
dear Elizabeth,
it must be heaven to see your very lovely garden rejuvenated and flourishing. and you feeling resuscitated! my garden spaces are also close to my house, and it’s maddening when I’ve not been able to keep the weeds at bay, in spite of costly mulch layed down each Spring, then having it all blown away little by little by those pesky leaf blowers. this year I have a mountain of fine wood chips( from pruned tree limbs) seasoned over last summer and fall, so will have a whole day put aside to load them into my new ergonomic wheel-barrow (my pet – I just love that thing!) and dump/spread them over the beds. I think it will be a very victorious and whew! time when it’s all done. thank for sharing the photos – they helped me go from the dread of a big chore to now feeling excited to get it done.
much love and light,
Karen xoxoxo
I am so glad to have inspired you. Good luck!