Itching to Start

May 5: It's time. It has to be time; time to get out into the garden and start supporting the growth of plants for our speech and language clinic. Not only will we grow spring plants that adorn windowsills and waiting areas of our clinic, but we will also mine a lot of clinical gold from the vegetables and flowers grown outdoors as a haven from the urban noise, and as a repository of good foods and visual delights.

 Spring is the distant turn of sunlight, that gives us more and more motivation to brave still cold winds, scratch open the soil layers and insert a bit of germinal life into the desiccated, shivering world. It should be time. It has to be time, because we've waited so long. The FARMERS' ALMANAC says that the last spring frost date for this area is April 20, but there is so much to be done prior to that date. Please, let it be time.


There are, first, curriculum and therapy plans to be structured around garden activities. What are the plants; what are their characteristics; how will we plant, cultivate and harvest them; how will garden workers participate in the Spring - Fall growing season; what change will occur in the garden beds through the seasons; - and how will we communicate about and consume the fruits of the garden!?

June 1: Patience is a virtue. When the spring was approaching, I felt that it might take forever to get to this time of the year. There were the waves of thunderstorms; the alternating blasts of humid heat; the squirrels and other beasties, large and small; varying degrees of indecision by the clinical staff about what to plant, and how to train the persons served; - and, whew! How did we do it?

The curriculum fell into place easily, due to the fact that most plants have not evolved significantly since vegetable and flower gardens entered mass market visibility. You plant peas when the ground can be worked in spring, for example. When squirrels, rabbits and their kin are about, you plant enough for them, as well as for yourself. To remind those critters that they do not control this garden space, you plant enough for the critters and for you.

June 30: there's been a band of thunderstorm cells, passing by fast this afternoon. Thank goodness the 6 tomato vines, 4 pepper plants, pea vines, bok choi sprouts and romaine seedlings - all withstood the quick, hot storm. Too much accomplished, to lose plants to storm damage. It's time. Strength. Health. Vitality. It's time.