I went to Goodwill and Value Village our two local thrift stores and purchased what I call "shit sheets." They are usually ugly, torn, and generally the wrong size for any bed in my house. But being 3.99 or less per sheet it saves the pocket book as well as the garden. I now have a giant rubbermaid tub full of blankets, sheets, (fabric) shower curtains, ugly sewing fabric, random pillow cases and old paint drop cloths. I never said it was beautiful.
When Jacob and I first started removing the grass in the back yard to make way for a garden, the 'yellow house neighbors' yelled over at us "you guys putting in a new lawn?" we replied "no, were putting in a garden." Ever since then we've been the 'don't speak to them they are the crazy neighbors.' Honestly, pointing and hushed conversations on the deck with any visitors to there house ensued.... it was rather childish. Admittedly, it took us 2 years, first in sod removal, raised bed construction, irrigation, and bringing in loads and loads of compost. This is our first real year of growing something other than garlic and cover crops. It looks really good out there, and it should with how much freaking effort we put into it. Anyway long story short, Jacob and I were outside orchestrating the sheets when 'yellow house neighbors' (we don't know there names we run in VERY different circles) yelled over at us again. "I've been meaning to tell you guys, your garden looks amazing!" He made mention of his wife's family who have a garden and have been struggling with it during this crazy growing year. We said thank you, and we appreciated his comments. Then that was it, he went back inside and we went back to hanging sheets.
I don't think our 'yellow house neighbors' could see this, the potential of growth, color and food. To me, the garden looked like this all along. I envisioned rows of ruby tomatoes and amber sunflowers, tall leafy carrots and emerald salad greens. What I'm saying is colors, textures, and scents all blending into a beautiful garden. I saw this all along and now that it's finally here it feels 'right', like yep, I thought so. Does that make any sense? Probably not.
Contentment might be a better word for it.
Yep, makes total sense! Also, that you never know what people might really be thinking (everyone being so busy with their own lives.) I always assume the worst (like OUR neighbors next door) - and then they're unexpected friendly and I can't go on thinking those thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine, from your YellowHouse Neighbors high deck vantage point, seing into several neighbors yards, how much more INTERESTING it is to look into yours. It changes, evolves... well, GROWS! But I'm also guessing that more neighbors' yards are looking interesting because of your influence.
Your garden rocks! We get some of the same odd looks from our neighbors, as we are the only ones on our country road who are actually producing something off of the land we seem to be surrounded by. Good luck with your tomatoes. We picked around 5 pounds of the little guys today.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I laughed out loud when I read this post because this is what I always think about our neighbors. When we put in our garden, I think most of them thought we were nuts. And then they see us water the garden with our rain barrel water, I always think, gosh they must think I am crazy. Check out how we water out garden with rain barrel water!!
ReplyDeletehttp://nycgardening.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-water-garden-with-rain-barrel.html
meemsnyc- HA! we drag water to our plants too! I would LOVE to get one of those pump things to add pressure to the water. We are actually considering putting a metal roof on the house instead of the tar shingles so we will have cleaner water. But that's all theoretical at this point. I love the idea of using the wheelbarrow to haul water around! I might have to adopt that this spring! :o)
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