Back to the Garden

Finally! A string of warmer, sunnier days have made it possible for me to get myself back to the garden (thank you Joni), where I've been reconnecting with my gardener-friends and meeting new ones. As much as I loved my former, quite private backyard garden, the experience of community gardening adds a social and cooperative element that I've come to cherish.

Last spring I began with some trepidation, especially because nearly all the other gardeners were French speakers, some exclusively so. I was starting out with a bare plot and a limited budget for perennials, as well as limited knowledge of the soil and growing conditions. It was hard, sometimes, to make myself go there, because I was shy about my lack of communication skills and about being a newcomer among some extremely experienced and creative gardeners -- I hadn't anticipated that part of it at all.

By the end of the season, though, I was feeling comfortable and excited. The other gardeners were so friendly, generous, encouraging and helpful that I quickly began to feel part of the group. This spring I realized I had missed them a lot, and the greetings and conversations have made me understand that was mutual. I've met some new people already: Alexandra and her daughter, in the far left of this photo, and Mimi, on the right. In between is Eric, who is almost always present in the afternoons and has become one of my best friends there. Wandering around the plots and talking to one another isn't something everyone does, but I love it -- and it's part of the French warmth and joie de vivre that make this city special.

Claude, Christiane, Michel, Eric, Patrick and Natalie gave me not only friendship, but plants. And I was surprised to discover, when I got my hair cut recently, that my coiffeur is a close friend of Claude, who was president of the association last season, because his partner runs a wholesale plant nursery! The small world of gardening, indeed!

This year I've noticed that my French is actually quite a bit better. I can understand most of what people say to me, and can carry on a conversation with more confidence, laughing about English and French names for plants and sharing the happiness of beginning again in a new spring.

And my plants are coming up and doing well! The peonies are getting taller, the delphinium look strong, the bee-balm has spread, the foxgloves are getting ready to send up their biennial flowering stalks; the miniature roses look vigorous and healthy. In another day or two I'll have violets and pansies to cut, and before long, some lilies-of-the-valley. I hope I'll soon be able to return the favors I've been given, and share some plants with other gardeners. For one thing, there's a bucket of canna tubers sitting here after the winter in the cellar, and I can't possibly plant them all...

Comments

[Lucy]

That looks a very French, orderly, potager type garden!

I've no doubt sharing garden space must really encourage you to keep at it. We found gardening, and practical, visible constructive activity generally was a great way to initiate and facilitate communication. Bravo you!

[Rachel Barenblat]

I love getting a glimpse of your community garden.

And yes -- warmth and joie de vivre, for sure.

[Jan]

OMG Beth, I've been on vacation and am only now catching up with your postings. I've missed a lot! What wonderful photos and stories. Glad that spring is finally here. Glad to hear your garden is coming back to life.

[Hattie]

I love your energy and the way you are always willing to try something new. It's inspiring.

[Pat]

How nice to see! I drive by a community garden going to and from work... and I think of you and wonder how the gardens compare. Now I have more of a visual. What delight.

[Fire Bird]

we are stardust, we are golden...

[Dick]

Wow, this makes our little plot (from which I have just this moment returned) look a bit anarchic! I guess the presence all around of the friendly endeavour acts as incentive and inspiration.

[marly youmans]

Looks like pleasure to me!

After a month away, I found my garden exploding with flowers and weeds... In fact, I stepped out of the car and started weeding. Just couldn't stop myself.