Gardening My Way

Working in the yard the other day really did a number on my knees. I have iced and put heat on them ever since....soooo I had to decide what to do about this problem. The knees feel pretty good today....a few days later.When I garden I move around the yard with a couple of small stools. I move from spot to spot and sit while I weed or whatever. This up and down is hard on my old body.(Boy, I hate to admit that) Our yard slopes downhill and that makes it difficult too. I started thinking this weekend about planting the "color" in various pots to place in strategic spots in the yard. My seedlings are now put in larger pots. Marigolds for my husband. I will just plop them in where I need color. I ordered some geraniums too. For some reason I love scented geraniums. They have such interesting leaves and wonderful fragrances. I think that I have written before about liking more delicate plants in the garden. The big "blousy" blossoms are beautiful....but I prefer a more understated bloom. When you brush against these geraniums it releases a sweet scent that encourages one to breathe deeply and take time to smell the roses.....or in this case, the leaves. Scented pelargoniums are a collection of all shapes, sizes and colors, all sharing highly aromatic and interesting foliage. For example, the common zonal geranium, often used as a bedding plant, is a relatively scentless. Scented pelargoniums were first brought from South Africa to Holland and England in the early 1600s and have been lovingly cultivated ever since. I first heard about these interesting plants on the Martha Stewart show years ago. She had all varieties on her set. I haven't had them before, so this year will be the first. I recently bought a book called Bulbs in the Basement Geraniums on the Windowsill. I am just starting to read the book. Maybe I can save these scented geraniums throughout the winter and have a new hobby as well as a thrifty way to start my garden next year. I was really feeling sad this past weekend...reading about how everyone was starting out in their gardens...cleaning up, planting, switching things around...knowing that it was time for me to slow down and change my way of doing things. Now, with my new plans....I think things may work out to be rather pretty. I am looking forward to the warmer weather and trying to keep up with you guys and gals. Thanks for the inspiration and gentle nudge with your wonderful posts on your time spent in the yard. From now on....I'll have to do it My Way.

Balisha