The snow is gone, babies. Melted clean away. I officially have spring fever, which has manifested itself in a newfound love of gardening. When I was little, I became enamored of this book:
It has always been a dream of mine to have a little secret garden, where I can take naps write poetry and think lovely, bucolic, pastoral thoughts. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to have such a garden in Alaska. For one thing, the mosquitoes (big enough to screw a turkey flat-footed, as a tourist once colorfully remarked) make outdoor activity um… not that awesome. Furthermore, gardens here tend to suffer from infestations of black bears. Not even kidding. And you can make all the scarecrows you want; they will not keep the moose from eating your carrots.
I want a garden like this:
or this:
But instead, here is my artistic interpretation of what my garden looks like right now:
At least there’s not any snow, right? I have started planting. I bought a mini greenhouse, which is essentially a plastic box, and have spent quite a bit of time squealing with delight over the rate at which my green beans are shooting up. But so far I don’t have the guts to plant anything outside. Let me explain.
May 1st, 2001: I was a sophomore in high school. That April, I had decided for some reason that “April means spring”, so I’d put away my coat in favor of a light jacket, and consequently froze my bum off for most of April. But all the snow had melted. Spring was in the air. And on May 1st, it snowed. IT SNOWED. And it stuck. It piled up in crusty, horrid drifts. I was heartbroken, disillusioned. Thanks for nothing, Mother Nature. As if six months of winter weren’t enough.
And that’s why I can’t move my green beans outside until August, at which point they’ll have approximately a month and a half to two months to grow before it snows again. If the moose don’t eat them first.
Tags: Artistic Interpretation, Green Beans, Mother Nature, Naps, Secret Garden, Spring Fever
ohhhhh! i love the secret garden. and the little princess! i've read that one over and over. i can't wait to have children to read them to. i want one of those gardens too. it looks like the perfect place to relax, read, and dream in. and thank you for you comment on my blog today, btw! it's much appreciated! :) Jasmine’s last blog post..good morning!
I loved that book when I was a kid! Honestly, I don't remember really reading it, but I know I had it and also really wanted my own secret garden - haha! Wow, Alaska! I've been watching Northern Exposure lately, so.... so there! :) That's all I know about Alaska. Rebecca’s last blog post..hodge podge and oddities
hmmm i don't want mosquitoes like that anywhere near me. and yes, a garden would be perfect to pass out in!! Diana’s last blog post..Interview!
Good luck with the garden! Unfortunately I specialise only in indoor plants, and very badly at that, so no wisdom from me. Yes. The pox indeed. Not only did I get the pox, but the week before I had the flu AND a throat infection. Ye gods someone up there is trying to kill me. ondressingup’s last blog post..i love it when....
Eek, I'm glad I don't live in Alaska. I don't really thrive in winter. The Secret Garden is one of my favorite books! Amelia’s last blog post..Neglected
I wish I had a secret garden too. Actually, any kind of garden would be nice right now! Anna’s last blog post..just what the doctor ordered
ha ha! love the contrasts. I am a black thumb but this spring I have been into gardening as well. I hope I am sucessful. I want to have my own herb garden, we shall see....
I love the Secret Garden also. And the photos of your dream gardens are lovely! There's a famous Garden here in California that I've been meaning to visit, Lotus Land in Santa Barbara. Your post coincides perfectly. Also, I know what you mean about being wary of planting your babies outside. 1/2 of what I grow tends to die once it's transported outside. It does well in tiny pots by the kitchen window, but once in the real world the heat and frost kills them... Gabbi’s last blog post..Le Chouchou de la Semaine
I plan to make a secret ENGLISH/TROPICAL/DESERT garden all rolled into one. Tucked deep inside where no one can see will be a tiny lap pool and an outdoor queen bed made of bamboo with an outdoor mattress. This is where I will sleep, read and most of all, do nothing specific.
i have a secret garden. everybody should have one, i think. and keep it as a secret. evermore.