Tuesday, May 8, 2012

to build a garden, part one


 

we needed to stake our claim on the ground. to mix the dirt between our fingers and remind ourselves from where we came. the urge to plant a garden hit us only a week ago, on a walk down a little path near our house. we passed the bridge over the old creek and it just hit me: the need to grow something.

in the few days that followed, we shoveled, tilled, mixed and planted. our knees were black with compost and our gloves sweaty. we planted way too many vegetables, and too close together. we've yet to come up with a good watering schedule. we're keeping away critters with tin pans tied to a stick. we are novices, in the simplest sense. rising early and going out in the dark with a flashlight to check on them.

and even if none of them produces, i'll remember this may. this season of change. this laboring with my love. and even when grass grows back over that little 10 by 10 square, i'll look at it and know. that things and people die. but sometimes they grow too. and it's the cycle of  both that keeps us pushing on.

16 comments:

Emily said...

what a fun thing to do together!My grandpa and I used to plant a garden every summer. Such sweet memories!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

I have tried to grow gardens but our Phoenix sun is too much of a challenge for me. I think I enjoyed the planning, planting and waiting anyway. I'm jealous of your obviously rich soil. Love the shot with your bare feet, that's the right way to do it :)

Blondie's Journal said...

You are going to be pleasantly surprised, Courtney. Gardening is a labor of love! Planting close together is good, the plants shroud out the weeds. Best of luck!

XO,
Jane

Discovery Street said...

oohhh! what did you plant? i have a black thumb...i really want to garden, but i know i don't have the time to put into it!

Contemplating Beauty said...

looking so so good, great job you guys!!! yay! Excited to see the fruits of your labor throughout the summer :)

Claire said...

i hope you get lots of tasty things :)!

erika said...

Lovely. How I wish Sky and I would do things like this.

Meghan said...

courtney, i love your writing. it reminds me that this life is so much bigger than our little corner of the world. you create such amazing perspective for me and its always just what i need to hear!

Confessions Of A City Girl said...

Wow, i would have never gained so much insight from a 10x10 piece of land... I hope you do grow something!

~Sherine
Check out my blog, comment, and follow if you like!
Confessions Of A City Girl

Tiffany said...

I love these pictures! I want to move out east and be your neighbor!

~Tiffany
http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com

Southhamsdarling said...

Great photos, and I especially love the one of the porchway. You've certainly been very busy, the both of you. It will be exciting to watch all the young plants bloom and flourish.

Kendra said...

looking forward to all goodness that little plot of land produces this year.

Unknown said...

Cool! You guys are going to be great gardeners :)

annaKristianne said...

Dearest Courtney,

Your garden already looks lovely.

I once heard an older Christian lady saying that God meant for us--human beings--to be farmers. To live close to the nature, be constantly reminded of where we came from and just how much our lives depend on His providence.

Though I know we can't all be farmers, you and Robert's lovely garden reminds me of where I came from, who is sustaining my life and ultimately where I'll be going.

Thank you for your beautiful post!

Love,

Anna

Amy @ AGirlCalledBeloved said...

Goodness! I always love coming here. Every post you write is a pick-me-up. Your garden is just beautiful!

A Life Un-Styled said...

I've been planting too, a little balcony garden and like you, I didn't feel like a failure when things didn't grow. Gardening has taught me so very much.

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