There is probably something amiss in your life if Mondays are a day when you look forward to taking a rest. Mulling over why my weekends have become such a maelstrom of activity, I realise that, as usual, I have bitten off more than I can chew. I get to Sunday night tired, achy and slightly dissatisfied with my efforts outdoors. Surely this isn’t how a gentle pursuit like gardening should leave one feeling? Despite many years of experience, I can only conclude that I am suffering from the malady that prevents many people from embracing their gardens – that overwhelming feeling of not being able to get on top of things.
Hydrangea quercifolia is flowering for the first time
Planting up a host of pots in our new seaside garden seemed like a quick enough task, but did I consider the longer term maintenance? Of course not. The resultant watering and the worry of what might be drying out during the week has started to cause me serious concern. I am neglecting our main garden, open in less than three weeks, and am rushing at jobs in a fashion that might politely be described as multi-tasking, but would honestly be deemed haphazard. Meanwhile, back in London, I am discovering that a semi-ornamental vegetable garden needs more thought and planning than I have time for, plus there is more watering and a greenhouse full of stateless seedlings to tend to. My ambition when it comes to the garden knows no bounds, but by Sunday evening my body knows about it. Gardening under pressure is no fun.
Hostas, zantedeschias and lilies enjoying the gentle rain this week
Consequently a few days of wet weather have come as an enormous relief. There have even been mornings when I haven’t needed to go outside and water at the crack of dawn. Whilst not a ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card for pots and tubs, longer periods of rain do at least take care of the borders. And, who knows, if the rain continues it may create a long enough interlude for me to open the slithery mound of gardening magazines on the coffee table, or even to flick through the myriad bulb catalogues that have dropped onto the doormat.
Lilium ‘Red Velvet’
Alas, I know this will never happen, just as I know I am unlikely to temper my enthusiasm when it comes to new growing opportunities. I will always be a martyr to my garden and will probably never take the time I should to just sit and enjoy the fruits of my labour. The rain is due to stop tomorrow and the hot weather will return, just in time for another weekend.
Watering, rained off for now!
