In The Garden: How Gardening Changed My Love Of The Seasons.

A couple of weeks ago I shared a post on my life long love of winter and colder weather in general. And though this love of winter still holds true, I have learned to love all the other seasons as well. That is only possible because of a small garden I created years ago. The first house I ever bought was a small 1960's home on a small but quaint lot in a Central Texas suburb. Like a lot of first time homeowners my expendable income was not great at the time so finding ways to make the house feel like my home proved rather difficult. I don't remember how I stubbled upon it, but one evening I found a YouTube channel called Garden Answer. A woman named Laura and her husband Aaron had purchased a property in eastern Oregon and were making videos chronicling the progression of the garden they had inherited with the property and the creation of new garden areas throughout. I was amazed at their creativity and knowledge of so many things.

Needless to say, I very quickly became addicted to their videos and before I knew it I was looking up my own growing zone and making plans. Of course, those original plans had to be scaled back tremendously because of budgetary reason, but after watching Laura sow what seemed liked 5 million seeds in her greenhouse and Aaron create an impossibly green and beautiful lawn, I figured I could start there. My grass was looking pretty decent already and seed packs were something I could definitely afford.

And that's when I looked over at my 120lbs dog and realized I probably needed a fence first if I wanted this garden to survive. Had I ever built a fence before? Nope. Did I have all the tools needed? Not a chance. But what I did have was an unwavering belief and internal dialogue of, "how hard could it be?" At 41 years old, I look back at my life so far and realize that, "how hard could it be" outlook has served me well over the years and pushed me to do things that always end up making me a braver more capable person. So off to Home Depot I went to get some lumber and build a fence and some raised beds.

As a first time gardener I made so many mistakes. As you can see from the photos, I built my fence in the worst possible spot in my yard. In the summer the three large tree trunks you see rising behind the fence cast deep shade along most of the area...face palm. That first year the only things to survive were a couple of early season veggies that were established before the tree was in full bloom and an old purple sage bush. Everything I planted in pots near the patio got destroyed by the evil neighborhood squirrel gang and I over and under watered everything! But I loved it and I was irrevocably hooked on gardening. I started paying attention to the sun and where it hit different parts of the yard throughout the year. I started reading seed packs and all about average last frost dates. Most of all, I began to love the garden in every season.

When I moved to Washington I was beyond excited to start a new garden. Going from what felt like a Central Texas desert some years, to the rainy Columbia River Gorge felt like a dream. Turns out, I was in for another sharp learning curve, PNW style this time. That first year I got restless and 100% started everything too soon and the late spring frost got a lot of things. But a lot of things also turned out great. I had a half acre lot that was partially forested, and had a mountain view I couldn't believe was in my budget! My skills and knowledge continued to grow and by the time I sold that house, I had created something I was really proud of and pretty sad to leave. I think about that garden a lot. The trees I planted, the harbor I built. My time there in Washington was not easy and that garden provided for me in countless ways.

Gardening in Washington left me no other choice but to fall in love with summer (except for that whole wildfire season thing...not a fan of that). The fruit, the vineyards, the trees that bloom with massive flowers...fairytale type stuff. If you ever have the opportunity to spend a summer in Washington State, do it. It's just magical. I found my self rushing through winter counting the days until that final bit of snow melted and the glow of the forsythia began, letting me know spring was on her way! And then just as the weight of summer would start to settle, that first fall color would appear and the final harvest of the season would have me ready for those early and crisp fall nights that would take us into to the long winter nights.

In a full circle moment, I am temporarily back in Texas and working on a garden for my mom. She has graciously let me have carte blanche over her backyard and in a few short months we have created something really beautiful. I can see how much I've learned since I created my first Texas garden years ago. What seeds to start indoors and which ones to direct sow. Which plants go best together and when to expect the harvest. I find myself looking forward to the intense Texas summer and how quickly things can grow. The extended growing season here allows so much to happen in every season. That's what gardening has shown me. That something can grow in every season. Sometimes it's not noticeable. It's covered by snow and soil, but it's still there under the surface spreading and strengthening their roots, patiently waiting for the next season to enjoy.