Paring Down

With the weather taking a decidely spring-like turn I am getting the planting itch. This itch has changed considerably in the age moyen. It used to be an ambitious vision of continuous blooms and balancing of colours, and weighting the garden evenly between steady perennials and robust annuals. Well, that is over.

The small garden that came ready-planted in my little city plot has been wiped out in favour of three slow-growing evergreens. The emphasis is on order and bird habitat. So, on one side is a line of green, on the other stones and large pots where I'll play with pinks and greens. The remaining part of the 'garden' will exist in pots with lots of herbs many of which will come indoors in the fall.

I know for others the draw is towards investing time in the garden and creating layers upon layers of interest. That appears to be over for me. I want to look at something that calms the eye, soothes the soul, produces a small but useful crop, and most of all frees me from weeding.

When I'm no longer looking after so many other things maybe then, after l'age moyen, I'll return to the garden with new vigour.

Maybe.