Life in the Garden

The sweet potatoes in my garden are positively glowing this summer. They have completely filled the bed with a riot of gorgeous, vivacious green leaves. Meanwhile, in the bed right next to them, under the same soil conditions and watering regiment, the squash plants limp along. They are growing, they’re even making a few squash, but glowing they are not. 

I have often consoled myself with this simple wisdom: There is always something dying in the garden, but there is also always something thriving.

It is important to give everybody the best chance you can by choosing a spot with full sun, preparing the soil with care, and watering consistently. And when you notice a plant languishing, it can be very useful to double check that it’s “plugged in” by running through this simple checklist, despite how obvious those things seem.

But at some point, you have to step back and understand that you are not in control. The garden may be a scene that we set, but nature writes the script. The factors leading to the success or failure of a particular plant are not only beyond our control, but beyond our comprehension. The vitality of the seed, the balance of the soil life, the weather conditions at each particular stage, these are things we can at least wrap our head around. But these are only a small number out of a myriad of different and mostly mysterious pieces that connect in the labrynth of Life in the Garden. 

It doesn’t stay the same from year to year either, so don’t bother trying to plan for it. A good friend, and the best gardener I have ever known, calls this phenomenon “The Year of the (Blank).”  As in, ‘well, this is the Year of the Sweet Potato” enjoy it while you can.’ And not, apparently, the year of the squash.

I remember when we lived in New Orleans, the first year that I gardened the green beans were practically a panic attack, they were so productive. So the following year I dutifully planted a whole bed of them. The plants grew big, flowered profusely, and made not a single bean. Why? I have no idea. 

The solution to this conundrum is simple, and like most solutions, is proven for us in the natural world. In the words of ecology— create biodiversity. Or, in layman’s terms, plant lots of stuff. 

Plant lots of stuff, give it the best care you can, and then step back and hand nature the reins. Wait with anticipation to find out what surprises she has for you this year. Care for the the plants that languish (sometimes they turn around!) but keep your focus on the plants that thive and glow. Enjoy the Year of the Blank.