It’s working… so far.
After a couple of weeks of applying my new gardening philosophy’s I seem to be making great progress.
I’ve written a massive list of absolutely everything, although I should probably type it up and make it official before I forget what my chicken scrawl handwriting actually says. I have even managed to cross things off already which is super satisfying.
I’m staying in the garden to get the job at hand finished and allowing myself permission to go back and finish it the next day if it can’t be done in one session. The results are dramatic and things that have sat there undone for far too long are now looking marvellous.
Adding on to this sense of achievement is just going to the next area of the garden for the next garden session instead of sticking to an assigned day. Today I took care of the needs of sector three, formally known as ‘the Wednesday sector’. It does feel a little rebellious doing the Wednesday work on a Monday! And my sense of where I am in the week is a little up the wop, almost like that gap between Christmas and New Year.
I’ve tried putting things away at the end of each session, but I have to admit, this hasn’t been the greatest success – yet. My main excuse is the places the tools need to be kept need organising so there will be a place for everything and everything in its place, which I imagine will be quite satisfying. This goal is a work in progress.
Another thing I think I’ve been doing well is using the best tools for the job. I’ll start out in my old ways trying to do everything by hand before asking myself if there is a better way. A couple of times I’ve been through all the tools before finally settling on a power tool, which gets the job done so much faster than I could have hoped for. This is pretty much how I have managed to make such great progress on some pretty messy areas.
My photographic record keeping is coming along nicely too although I suggested to myself if I’m taking photos of the garden, instead of just taking a quick slightly out of focus image as I glance backwards and move on to the next task, I should take a moment to make nice photos that maybe I could use in the future.
And finally, the weeds I have banished have been kept away with a little and often approach with the new and improved sector system. Although I’m not exactly pleased with how quickly they are popping up. Its like a horticultural version of ‘whack a mole’.
There is a sense of gaining ground and restoring order. It is so encouraging and motivating. The only downside is I need to watch my energy levels, because sometimes I feel like I could keep going and get it all done in the blink of an eye, but I’m playing the long game so there is no need to burst a foo foo valve. Besides – I love what I do, why would I rush my way through it. Slow and steady will win this race.
With the edible garden mostly in a sorted-out state, and some pretty dodgy messy bits sorted, I’ll soon have the whole garden in a routine care system, and I’ll be able to get onto projects and exciting things. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I just need to maintain the course.
Come again soon – stick with me, the year has just begun.
Sarah the Gardener : o)