Timing

Yesterday the daffodils in my garden bloomed. Two weeks ago the crocus came up. Every time I walk by them on my way to the mailbox, I tell them it’s still winter– it’s only February– wait another month or so. But no, they decided to bloom anyway. And actually, now that I look out my back window, I see buds on the neighbor’s trees. Maybe the groundhog was right about an early spring.

One of the reasons I love gardening is that the flowers and plants can be such good teachers about life. It’s also a good exercise in giving up control. I choose my plants carefully, plan to plant them in the best possible spots for growth, water and care for them.  And still, sometimes they do whatever they want. Like bloom 2 months early. Or not grow at all, like my eggplants the last 2 years. Every year I learn something new from my failures and successes in the garden, and I use that knowledge to formulate a plan for the next year’s plantings. One of the most difficult things is knowing I can’t account for Mother Nature.  Will we have another drought? overly rainy season? chillier than usual? hotter than normal? early frost or late frost? I have to make peace with the fact that I can only do what I can do, and the rest is left up to Mother Nature.

What’s gardening got to do with mental health?

Well, that’s where gardening becomes like life. Just like I’m not guaranteed a bumper crop of eggplant this year, the outcome of our lives isn’t promised us either. All we can do is our best.  Practice good self-care, have loving friends and family, do work we enjoy, cultivate positive relationships.  And then hope it turns out well. We can control the seeds we plant, the ground into which they’re planted, and the nourishment they receive. The rest is beyond our control.

So what are you planting? How’s your soil? I may not be a master vegetable gardener, but I know a bit about life gardening. So contact me if you need any help with your spring planting.  And if you’re curious about how music therapy fits into the picture, I’m always happy to answer questions!