A Folk School Garden Tale
It happens to the best of us: we take our long awaited summer vacation and return to weeds, three feet tall, towering over the previously well tended crops.
My first instinct is to walk away. It’s too late, it’s too big of a task to take on, I’d rather go sit on a pontoon sipping a refreshing lemonade or G & T, jumping in the lake to quench the 95 degree sun. Screw it, there’s always next year.
But at the Avon Hills Folk School garden, I fought that instinct and think you should as well. There will be time for the lake, and it will feel even better, after spending just a little time tending to your midsummer garden. With a little bit of planning, this impossible task is doable. Here’s how I did it, and I know you can too!
Plan ahead:
Have everything you need with you. Next to me, I had my tools (scuffle hoe, hori hori, pruners, twine, stakes), seeds, a big bottle of water, sunscreen, insect repellent, a wide brimmed sun hat, my dog (& her accoutrements), a sweat towel, gloves, earbuds and the aforementioned snacks. I was happy that it was all there, as I didn’t have to use energy walking to and from anywhere to get what I needed.
Be prepared: Have everything you need with you. Next to me, I had my tools (scuffle hoe, hori hori, pruners, twine, stakes), seeds, a big bottle of water, sunscreen, insect repellent, a wide brimmed sun hat, my dog (& her accoutrements), a sweat towel, gloves, earbuds and the aforementioned snacks. I was happy that it was all there, as I didn’t have to use energy walking to and from anywhere to get what I needed.
Work with the sun: Most vegetables enjoy full sun, but as the sun rises, there are usually shady spots. Work in the shade while you can, soon enough it will be gone and you’ll long for its respite. Notice how the sun moves across your garden, if there’s a new shady spot- by all means, move there!
Break down the overwhelm: I like to create small, achievable goals and celebrate them along the way. For example: a 4’x4’ square, or one side of one whole row. When you get there, look back! Sure, I needed self pep talks, but eventually, the small parts added up to the whole garden being done! Stay present: focus on what’s in front of you, resist the urge to let your mind wander to all the other items on your task list, as that drives impatience. Listening to a podcast, audiobook or music helps. If you’re short on time, I recommend starting with the perimeter as a goal, because the edges are clean, it gives the illusion that the rest of it is tidy and it will feel easier when you return. I’m pretty sure my crew rolls their eyes every time I say “In gardens and in life, boundaries are important”, but it’s true.
Take breaks: As the sun rose higher in the sky, shade for both me and my pup Freya became harder to find. I found myself leaving a patch of weeds here and there for her to have a cool rest or leading her to the corn patch to curl up under their leaves. Then came a point that it was time for an actual break. A walk through the woods, guided by deer flies, and into the creek did the trick. Watch a butterfly, notice some mushrooms growing, listen to the birds. Rest, take a nap, drink water, reapply sunscreen, and have a snack. Be good to yourself.
Reflect on what you’ve achieved. I was in awe at what I’d accomplished in 6, very hot, hours. I was surprised that I persevered and it felt great! Then, go jump in a lake!
Throughout the day, I thought about my excitement for the “Caring for the Summer Garden” class that I’m teaching on August 1, alongside a mentor of mine, Greg Reynolds of Riverbend Farm. I was inspired with ideas to share with you like how many of the weeds that I pulled are edible, what my favorite tools do, how valuable healthy soil is and so much more. Greg contains multitudes of knowledge about growing vegetables, saving seeds, stewarding land and repairing farm equipment (cars, motorcycles and just about anything else). Among many accomplishments, he and his wife Mary were Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) Organic Farmers of the Year in 2015, so you know he knows his stuff. If you haven’t signed up yet, I hope you do!
Kristi Koziolek