Spring Garden

Here are some of the things growing in my garden this month AND my "garden helper"!

Purple in Texas

Someone shared these photos of some of the lavender fields that are in the Hill Country of Texas. There are a number of lavender farms in that area, and there is even a Lavender Festival in June. I can't even imagine the fragrance!

Mulch

We have made a number of trips to our city's recycling center this week. I read that the city provides free mulch to any of its residents. Evidently, the city has an endless supply of mulch from a variety of sources and is glad to give it away. Who knew? All you have to do is load up your car/truck with shovels, buckets and a tarp, and make the 10 minute drive. Once there, you are faced with a huge container filled with mulch. One end is open, so you can back your car or truck right up to it and commence with transferring the material. If someone has beat you to it, you can always jump up on top of the mulch and begin filling your 5 gallon buckets. We have found that a pitchfork works best in loosening the mulch (which has become compacted by the sheer volume of it) and putting it into the buckets. And a two-man team is helpful - one filling the bucket and the other transferring the contents to the vehicle. Of course, you have to reverse the process once you get home!

After this rather back-breaking work, and in the sun, I began to wonder "What is the purpose of mulch anyway? Why is it so important?" I found a good explanation:

Mulch: any material placed over soil in the garden. It's designed to retain moisture, deter weeds and keep the soil from eroding. The benefits of mulch are plentiful. For the busy gardener, mulch is a great time-saving device because it helps to prevent weeds from sprouting in the garden. In addition, it can keep the soil moist, reducing the need for constant watering. Mulch will enrich the existing soil and will prevent rain and other elements from washing it away.

It seems that mulch serves as a protection - both to keep the good things in and the bad things out. Using it helps the plants and soil maintain a healthy environment for growth and strength, even under extreme conditions of heat and cold. A constancy is preserved underneath. In addition, it keeps undesirable elements from growing within which can short-circuit the plant's source of nutrition. Finally, mulch will keep the soil and plants from being displaced or torn apart during wind and rain.

I'm always looking for spiritual illustrations in the ordinary things around me. As an Orthodox Christian, keeping a morning and evening prayer time has become my "mulch". I have found that when I skip these times, I become more vulnerable to distractions and anxieties. My life seems out of control and aimless. I become more self-centered and impatient. For others, following the Divine Hours throughout the day keeps them centered and focused. Scripture reading is also a good "mulch". But whatever it is, our body and soul needs it to grow and be nourished. Don't be fooled when the enemy whispers, "It's not necessary!"

Harbingers of Spring

Crocuses (photo by N. Nice)

Spring always surprises me. After months of gray and brown and dead leaves, one begins to forget what flowers and grass and shade trees look like. Sitting on my back patio, I look at the barren branches of my crape myrtles, oak tree and pear tree and try to remember all the shade they provide. It is difficult to imagine everything coming back to life again. Judging just by outward appearance, the Snow Queen has pretty much killed everything!

Then a green blade pushes up through the weather worn mulch and fallen leaves. I had completely forgotten about the daffodils in that corner! The sunlight is still sharply angled by the tilt of the earth and casts long shadows. But deep down in the earth, crocuses and daffodils are drinking in the warmth and preparing to sound the first chords of the prelude to spring.

The bright green and yellow of daffodils are soon followed by Bradford pear trees around town exploding in white blossoms. They look like trees whose branches have popped popcorn overnight! And then, as if the Master Artist decided to add a splash of color for accent and surprise, the redbud trees add their brilliant pinks against dark evergreens and barren oaks. Everything shouts the promise of spring and the hope of resurrection.

The Savior by Viktor Vasnetsov

How fitting that Pascha (Easter) is right at this time of year. We have all of creation around us to remind us of Christ's resurrection and the gift of life he has given us. God always meant for his creation to be a reflection of spiritual truths and a means of understanding our life in him. Let us be mindful of always keeping in touch with this marvelous gift.