The "Do-Over"

Backyard gardening has been a hobby of mine for decades. If memory serves me right, it was the small experimental garden started in our backyard in my mid-twenties that awakened my senses to the flavor of a home grown tomato plucked at the perfect ripeness versus what was available in the grocery stores.

Not to be forgotten was my grandfather’s garden. A vivid memory that remains and was possibly the greatest motivation to grow my own, includes (what was) my Pop’s incredible Heirloom tomatoes cultivated in his small but bountiful plot. Pop would point out the fragrance of the vines…a wonderfully earthy and fresh scent heightened during the warmth of the summer sun, then demonstrate how to pluck a tomato without harming the plant.

That sweet memory took place in Connecticut’s hot and humid summer climate. In contrast, gardening in Colorado’s high country presents very different challenges from retaining moisture during these hot and dry summer days, to fending off wild animals and tiny garden pests. Despite the challenges that very little natural rainfall and interested creatures present, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that without a properly cultivated foundation, your garden efforts will be all for nought.

Over the years I’ve enriched my gardens with a wealth of organic matter from cow manure, sheep manure, compost, peat moss and other natural fertilizers. But soil is a tricky thing when it comes to keeping a moist, pliable, root friendly, healthy base for vegetables to flourish. And that brings me to today’s return to writing…

Despite doubting that I would ever see a flourishing garden again, giving up wasn't an option. The plot was established, the local garden center had all that was needed to try again and most of all the decision to think positively and "go for it" won over! I'm happy to report this year's garden could quite possibly be my favorite of all time! Every flower, herb and vegetable is thriving in what has turned out to be the perfect environment.

You see, like my writing, my garden went through years of dry spells. I would try with feeble attempts to scratch the soil’s nutrient depleted surface rather than digging in deep to allow for moisture and air to penetrate all the way to the roots. I’d also neglected to fertilize and water consistently but worst of all - I just gave up. It seemed that my gardening days were over. The deer, raccoon, fox, squirrels, birds, pests and broken sprinkler system that I’d counted on instead of hand watering / hand nurturing…triumphed. My garden had nothing left, no life, no nutrients, no signs of rejuvenation or possibility of restoration.

However those negative thoughts, lack of effort and lack of care…all of that was on me. I fell for the signs that my gardening days were over. It was after all my fault and lack of belief that that my garden would thrive again. But I was wrong!

The Lord and I have always seemed to meet in the garden. It’s where I hear His Voice, where I find solace and direction and in late Spring this year while surveying my hardened, dried-up plot of land I heard Him say, “It’s not over, let’s do this again and here is what I want you to do”.

I followed what I felt were His directions that included digging up the entire 60’ x 2’ plot, adding new nutrient rich soil, turning that new soil with a heavy-duty cultivator, then allowing the garden to rest for a few days before planting. After following what I felt were God-led directions, picking out healthy starter plants was next on the restoration agenda. But it didn’t end there.

During the selection process I seemed to hear from Him again in that what I had chosen, was plenty and to not "over-do it". That directive spoke volumes causing memories of gardens past that I’d over-crowded far too many times attempting to maximize the space and short growing season in Colorado. What became apparent was overcrowding depleted the soil. Nothing was left to give to new plants. No moisture, no nutrients, just hardened, dry ground.

But this season was going to be different. It would be all about a new garden, a new creation, just enough to manage and maintain with plenty of space between veggies, flowers and herbs allowing expansion for maximum growth all while being closely nurtured and watered by hand.

I’m a big believer in what people commonly call the, “do over” and my garden has undergone exactly that…a do over. Something told me not to let go of something that I loved so much. That it would come back and be better than ever. And I believed what I heard.

Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are The God of Healing, The God of Restoration and The Great I Am. I praise You Lord! Amen.