A garden doesn't have to be a huge amount of work. It doesn't have to be the marvel of the neighborhood.
My garden
isn't perfect. It isn't meant to be perfect. It's meant to give
me a place to get dirt on my hands and put life in perspective.
Weeds grow in it, but, March to October, so do fresh vegetables,
flowers, and herbs. I do what I can to minimize work.
Some books which support
this philosophy:
Square Foot Gardening Mel Bartholomew
The Weekend Garden Guide Susan A. Roth
Some favorite reference books:
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening
Pictorial Guide to Perennials Jane Helmer & Karla Decker
Favorite sources of perennials:
Neighbors! know what grows locally; price is usually
right
Garden Club Sales Almost as good as neighbors.
Seed Many perennials can be started from seed.
Bluestone Perennials
(800) 852-5243
Favorite web sites (just a few)
Gardenscape
Missouri Botanical Garden
The (no) Problem Garden
Gonna make this garden grow,
All it takes is a rake and a hoe,
And a piece of fertile ground.
Inch by inch, row by row,
Please bless these seeds I sow,
Please warm them from below,
'Till the rain comes tumblin' down.
Pullin' weeds and pickin' stones,
Man is made of dreams and bones,
Feel the need to grow my own,
'Cause the time is close at hand.
Grain for grain, sun and rain,
Find my way in Nature's chain,
Tune my body and my brain
To the music from the land.
Plant your rows straight and long,
Temper them with prayer and song,
Mother Earth will make you strong
If you give her loving care.
An old crow watching hungrily
From his perch in yonder tree,
In my garden I'm as free
As that feathered thief up there.
Garden Song
Dave Mallet(mod. Pete Seeger)
