Growing Up: Fresh air, anticipation prompt ambitious gardening 'to-do' list
JIM GAINAN Growing Up | Posted: Sunday, May 2, 2010 12:00 am
This is part one of a two-part story. The second half will run in next week’s Your Home.
The last four weeks have been a blur. It feels like the weather changed so quickly this year. So much for simplicity and balance. My "centered" moment this winter when I resolved to adapt a simpler approach to life and gardening is being challenged by the excitement and enthusiasm of spring. A couple of warm days and the completion of some early spring rituals like turning the sprinkler system on have seduced me into a 'to-do' list that rivals any I've ever seen. There's just always something to be done.
Rather than carry my 'to-do' list in my head for the next two months, this year I installed a dry erase board in my garage so that I have somewhere to keep track of all the little things that will make the most difference. My gardening equipment is ready to go: lawn mower tuned up; tools clean; compost and bark purchased, stacked in the back. Now what?
I decided that rather than put the cart before the horse and plant too early (like I did last year), that I was going to spend the weekend installing only the plants that can tolerate the possibility of a cold snap. The remaining time would be dedicated to preparing the beds, power washing everything in sight and planning the annual plantings for next weekend.
Jim Gainan is VP/Shareholder of Gainan's Flower and Garden Center in Billings.