As soon as the ground warms again, many Ontarians head out to garden centers armed with hope, ambition and perhaps a wish list or two. It’s a fresh, exciting time full of promise. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “real” gardener, it’s still uplifting to be in the glow of sunshine once more, deciding which vegetables to grow or looking into the cheerful face of a marigold.
But once those first few euphoric weeks have passed and the summer heat is pressing us down, it’s suddenly not quite as rewarding to be dragging hosepipes around, taking a knee for the gout weed or hunting for that elusive (green) trowel that you left somewhere. Weekends seem short (because they are) and fill up with other, more seductive plans than mowing the lawn. After weeks of tenderly nurturing plants — especially veggies — the rewards can be very slim indeed. This is especially true when neighbourhood rodents seem intent on sampling one bite from everything or sly-faced squirrels (who’ve never heard of call-before-you-dig) enjoy some impromptu soccer with tiny rock-hard tomatoes that never even got the chance to ripen.
So what can be done to keep the love of gardening alive? Because it’s not easy being green, here are a few ideas that help me maintain that May 24 enthusiasm all summer long:
Make dinner right after breakfast. Remember how bone-tiring a day in the garden can be? At 4 pm, your future self will be delighted that dinner is already en route, or at the very least decided upon. And don’t forget your old comrade, the slow-cooker to prep taco fillings, pulled pork or chilli without heating the house. Bonus Tip: Before heading outside, load up a (lidded) travel mug with something cold to drink.
Keeping it real. Digging trenches, trimming branches and then planning a bit of roto tilling for the afternoon is overwhelming to body and soul, especially if you have other things to do. Remember that old joke: anyone over the age of 35 can put their back out just by reaching for a slice of pizza? This applies to gardening, too! Take time to stretch regardless of age.
The right tools. New garden gloves are often purchased to celebrate spring, but I discovered long ago that those romantic floral ones don’t last. One day, I found myself scrabbling in the dirt, wearing a pair of fingerless-frayed ‘Bob Cratchit’ gloves instead. Now, I choose Neoprene. Yes, I look more like Spiderman than Martha Stewart, but at the end of the day, the ovals of my nails remain white. Decide which tools will serve you best and get the best versions you can afford. If you need advice, ask Master Gardener friends – and the internet – in that order. Gardeners historically love to help other gardeners.
Pay attention to what you enjoy. Gardening is often tied up with too many “shoulds”. Find out what you like most and do more of that. If you have a deep loathing for cutting the grass, you can easily shrink the size of your lawn by adding shrubs, larger perennials and some mulched areas. If you enjoy nature, why not take your phone outside and find out who’s singing in your yard with the Merlin Bird ID app? It’s fascinating, and so far, I’ve clocked 150 different birds!
Try to manage Gardener’s ADD: I call this Attention-to-Dandelion-Disorder. Although I might set out with a very particular task in mind, I’m soon distracted by the sticky deadheading of petunias, dry petunias, actually, so I must fill watering cans. I then stoop to fashion a support for a leaning tower of sunflowers, just before deciding to paint a tiny whimsical sign for the toad’s apartment under the garage door … The Dandelions, however, stand alone. Again.
Keep a journal. It’s almost impossible to remember from year to year what worked and what did not. With a dedicated space, it’s simple to record plant names, dates and how great successes were achieved. Notes on the phone are perfect for quick ideas, but in the depths of winter, it’s nice to flip through an old school notebook.
Reward yourself. Be sure to treat yourself well after a gardening session. Have a hot cup of tea or an icy martini. Grab some chips — or a hefty sandwich on good bread — and luxuriate outside, feet propped up, basking in all you’ve accomplished.
As well as a lengthy career in public library systems in Canada and the UK, SUE SUTHERLAND-WOOD has written for numerous publications. Her short essays have won national awards. Read more from Sue at her Substack, Everyone Else is Taken (EveryoneElseis-Taken.substack.com).
