Spring.... Where are you? I am ready!

[Rachel Butler]

I found out this fall that I am not a winter gardener. No matter how much I bundle up, nothing, not even my love of garden can pull me out of the toastiness of my small home.

 

I dream of summertime gardening...walking, barefooted around my yard, feeling the moist soil beneath my feet. It makes me feel connected to the earth. I miss the late evening light that I garden by and the radiating warmth of the soil. My wonderful friend Paige Hill, www.urbanpatchwork.org, posted on facebook recently that she gardens well into the night with lamps and by the moonlight. Her dedication is to be admired.

I now face the challenges that many other people face, where to find the time to garden during winter. With the shorter days, it is hard to find the time. I designed and built a beautiful yin yang garden with my father this fall. It required me to pull out some ancient geometry from the dusty crevices of my mind. I'll post later the details of the project. I planted my winter crop. Then it got cold and dark. I did not want to even venture outside. I know. I know. I have no business whining, I live in Austin, Texas. All I have to say is that cold is relative, sugar and 30 degrees has the ability to chill a southern girl to her core.

 

I finally went out this past weekend and took a look at my neglected garden. There she was beautifully abundant. Spilling forth broccoli, lettuces, cilantro and other goodies for me to enjoy. It was inspiring. Nature's perseverence. Even in the cold and dark, covered in ice.... she grows. Ready to give.

 

My gardening friends from the Austin Growers Guild and the Austin Permaculture Guild keep me grounded and help me remember even during the cold and dark times what wonderful pleasure we can all get from growing our own food.

 

BTW: if you are in Austin- the Austin Permaculture guild is starting up another wonderful class this weekend! Check it out!  http://www.austinperm.com/ Just call Jenny "awesome" Nazak - 512-619-5363.

 

Happy gardening, my loves!

Rache