Sunday 13 July 2014

 "Why do you garden Nanna?"    When Poppi asked this question yesterday it made me smile.    I have asked myself this question so many times.
 For me, there is no simple explanation......it is deep rooted, I have a need to garden.
 I am an all season gardener.   Providing there is not heavy rain, harsh frosts or snow I will be found in the garden.....even if it only to give the greenhouse a clean.
 There is always something to cheer in a garden, be it the bloom or the butterfly, they all bring a joy beyond words.
"Actually I can see why you garden Nanna, what a beautiful flower."


Poppi now has her own garden.   Her mother has given her free reign growing vegetables.....also a patio area for plants.    Poppi is doing well and has already picked produce for their plates.    I was most pleased when she told me she had found a creature trapped under a pot.    I asked her what she did with it.      I picked it up of course and put it in a safe place.
The time I spent with her as a little girl has stayed with her.....I cannot tell you how it warms my heart.    I hope she carries this forward  into her adult life......we need little people to learn how to care for the planet.......I have a good feeling about Poppi.

16 comments:

  1. We do indeed need a future generation who will understand how things work and who know we need to care for Nature and our precious planet - there will be nothing in the supermarket when we have destroyed the earth. There is something soothing and necessary about being in contact with soil and the fact that you can't rush things I find.

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    1. Hi Jane, They seem to be encouraging children to garden these days.
      Also taking the wildlife into account.....
      I believe growing your own food will be something that people will have to do in the future, as land is used for housing etc.

      I am spreading mushroom compost around the garden today. It is a lot of hard work but something that I really enjoy :)

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  2. Hi Cheryl,

    Lovely photos, very nice to see the little crab apples; my parents' planted a couple this year and I look forward to watching them grow and the birds enjoying the fruits... Also, is that a Clematis in your last photo? It's stunning!

    I do hope Poppi is able to take this love for nature forward; so often it's easy to forget nature, as life happens. Not everyone is able to have a garden, but I do think those who loved it as children are very likely to return once we're older.
    I can't help myself but try to rescue insects... Usually Bees actually! Oh yes; one was on the wall drying to sunbathe - it had been wet - but it looked like more rain would come. I picked it up on a dead rose stem and actually got an empty flower pot, put it on its side and placed the rose inside. It spent the night and most of the next day in its little house but flew off once the sun warmed it up. I'm a sucker.

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    1. Yes it is a clematis Liz.....Sieboldiana. It is perfect for a pot. It has bloomed non stop since May and more buds are coming. It is an old plant, I have never repotted. I give it some fresh soil each year to cover the base of the plant and feed regularly.
      I love it :)

      That is very true Liz.....I started gardening with Dad at the age of three. I could not do much, but it would let me play amongst the soil and carry bits about :)
      The seed was planted and grew :)

      Lovely bee story....you are a girl after my own heart. As I walk towards the crone it gives me such pleasure to know you are out there taking care of your piece of the planet. Well done lovely bee person :)

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  3. Of course Poppi will carry your love and guidance into her adulthood. It will ebb and flow through out her life where she can always find solace, entertainment and dinner in her garden. She and the world is lucky she has a Nanna that must garden.

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    1. And you, my dear friend, are too kind. Thank you I do so hope that you are right, I have feeling you will be, where Poppi is concerned.

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  4. I am so glad to find this beautiful blog about nature and gardening. Have been reading and I love it. I definitely will be your new follower.

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    1. Thank you Janneke. I look forward to reading your comments:)

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  5. How lovely to have a grand daughter who shares your love of creatures, plants and gardening. I expect there will come a time as she grows up when she will lose interest - but the seed has been sown - and if she is anything like you she will take great joy from it as an adult. Inbetween times boys, fashion and partying will probably come into play - isn't it a shame that children have to grow up.

    But I digress - I love your beautiful pictures, especially the crab apples - and I have to say that I am not an all-weather gardener now but in the past I have been known to garden in winter with a hot water bottle inside my coat - now there's dedication for you.

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    1. They grow up so quickly these days Elaine. She will, I am sure, lose interest at some point. Life will take her on her own special journey. Hopefully, she will come back to gardening and caring for the wildlife that lives within it :)

      Well that is one thing I have never tried, a hot water bottle in my coat.............
      You never know I may just try it :)

      Have a lovely week.....it is going to be a scorcher in the South, with thunder storms at the end of the week.

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  6. Oh Cheryl, what a happy post! Little Poppi must be growing up - her very own garden and sense of empathy towards wildlife. What a gift to you both to share a love of nature. I think the many good lessons you've taught will be with her all of her life. Just her question "why do you garden?" shows her interest and wanting to understand your connection to the earth (at least that's my interpretation). But questions aside - it's in her blood.

    Your photos are stunning - the butterfly one (and the header) close to my heart. Thanks for your comments on my froggie post. It's nice to get back to my blogging friends. I've missed connecting with other kindred souls.

    Hope life is going smoothing for you and your family.

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    1. Thank you Wendy.......it seems hard to believe Poppi was two when I started blogging, how time flies.

      We have missed you.....I hope you will stay a while until something makes you stray again :) I have stopped blogging several times now but always have the urge to return at some point.............

      Life is not too bad at this time, tku for asking Wendy.......

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  7. What beautiful photos, and how lovely that your granddaughter is taking an interest in the garden. I used to love letting my children dig and plant when they were young, but sadly, as teenagers they are no longer interested. Hopefully as they get older though the gardening bug will return!

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    1. Thank you Paula,

      I can remember my teenage years, and to be honest gardening was the last thing on my mind :) As soon as I married, I went back to gardening and I feel sure your children will to. You have given them such a good start .......

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  8. What a lovely blog you have! I loved this post, thanks for visiting.xxx

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