How Time Passes In My Garden

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The passage of time is an amazing thing, especially so when applied to the garden. To me the passage of time in the garden involves three different dynamics: time over long periods, through the seasons, and how you spend time in the garden. The first dynamic is not as easy to see as the other two and unless you have documented the garden through pictures you might not really notice how much things have changed.

Take my birdbath garden for example. This is how it began, very simple and small and over the years it has grown considerably. A birdbath and a few pass-alongs mixed with purchased plants made a nice little spot for the birds to take a dip or a drink. This was back in October of 2007 around the time when I started this blog.

Seven months later in June of 2008 the garden had grown in area as well as plants. Salvias jumped into the garden along with seed raised coreopsis to provide splashes of purple and yellow.

Stone borders were gathered and added to the garden to define its boundaries. The butterfly bush that was purchased for $5 grew prolifically and became a bird favorite for shelter and play. Later the deer struck and various plants had to be moved (like the purple leaf plum which is now in the front yard).
Another winter passed. Cold moved in and out. Things changed again. Time moved onward.

March of 2009 brought a new expansion to the garden. I added a new wing along with stumps to hold up a bench seat. One of these days I’ll actually put the seat on! The cat statue marks the resting place of our house cat who succumbed to renal kidney failure in December of 2008.

It’s amazing how the garden changes in the span of a single year or within a couple seasons. The picture below is how it looks now in our backyard. The recent expansion caused by the addition of the ninebark has given the garden a little more of a curve. A second bird feeder hook was added to prevent the mockingbirds from dominating the seed supply. Blooming on the left is the ‘Oranges and Lemons’ Gaillardia and the butterfly bush. Also included in the garden are three types of salvia, verbena, artemisia, a witchhazel, catmint, and redtwig dogwoods. There is even a single cayenne pepper plant that I put in because I really didn’t have a clue where else to stick it! I figured if the deer wanted a taste of it they might think twice next time they munched in the birdbath garden.

The stone pathway around the other side of the birdbath garden is new this year as well. If you followed my rock week you probably remember me talking about it. I’m really happy with its addition.

Of course there is one more thing I think about when I consider time in the garden is how I spend my time. I weed, I water, I wander, I fight bugs and pests, and I plant but every gardener gets to do those things at some point.

What makes time in the garden special is when you can spend it with others:

But then that’s more about the who than the when and the how isn’t it?

For other posts about time in the garden go visit Gardening Gone Wild’s Garden Design Workshop for August 2009.

Also please note that the Fall Color Project will be starting soon! Check back for more information next week!

12 thoughts on “How Time Passes In My Garden”

  1. Yes, kids in the garden make it mighty special Dave! They too change as your garden has. But I think it's more unfortunate that they do. I suppose I'm selfish by saying I don't want my kids to grow up. That's not how it works though is it?

  3. Absolutely! I love the diary of the expansion of this flower bed. And that's how it happens, isn't it? You can only do so much at a time. And look at your helpers… who have watched and learned from you. Great!

  5. It is nice and sweet to do review on garden and gardening as a whole. There are ups and downs, but overall, we are happy to be part of the changes… for the better, most of it.
    Cheers
    ~bangchik

  7. It's so much fun to see how the garden has changed through the eye of your camera — what wonderful work you've done, Dave. This bed is gorgeous, and I really like what you did with all that rock!

  8. It's been fun watching your garden grow… The birdbath garden is just one example of your creativity and hard work! The girls are beautiful, but you know that! gail

  9. I had a feeling you were going to include a lovely shot of those beautiful girls. Time and gardens and little girls, what a sweet thought. Your beds have really evolved,Dave and will continue to do so. It is fun to watch it grow, along with your young ones. 🙂
    Frances

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