Family Garden

I have always loved the changing seasons especially when winter changes to spring. There is nothing like leaving the confines of the indoors to once again go outside and spread your wings. I love the sight, smells, and look of springtime. The spring- colored-green buds that begin to grow on the trees are such a wonderful sight of things to come. I love how crocuses start popping their tiny heads out of the ground giving a hint that it won't be long for the beautiful, colorful tulips and bright yellow daffodils to bloom. Oh such wonderful sights.

One of my favorites things about springtime, however, is the chance to start digging in the flowerbed and vegetable gardens. Once the weather gets warmer, I literally can't stop the call to go out and dig in the dark, rich soil. The warm, earthy smell of dirt is so familiar to me and comes to my mind when just thinking about it. I love seeing the earthworms that quickly crawl deeper and deeper into the ground as I continue to dig. I get so excited seeing them because they tell me that the soil is ripe and ready for planting.

This is how springtime once was for me, but no longer.



Now that I live in Arizona, spring is still wonderful, yet so different. The weather, which has been beautiful all winter, stays beautiful not only during the day, but also the night. Windows are left open all night long while the crickets music lulls a person to sleep. Lizards come out of their sleepy hibernation and are busy searching for that perfect warm rock to suntan on, and an abundance of lady bugs can be found everywhere. And still, the call to garden does come.

The soil, or should I say sand, is not dark and rich. It also lacks that wonderful earthy smell that I am so fond of. And, digging and digging does not uncover any earthworms.



Yet, gardening in Arizona can still bring pleasure. One can find pleasure in realizing that gardening in a desert can be a challenge, and overcoming those challenges can be invigorating. Also, because of the sandy soil and warm weather, watermelon and cantaloupe are easy to grow. Teaching the girls how to plant seeds and seeing their excitement is also a thrill.

Hopefully, in the end we will reap the blessings of wonderful tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers and more. Time will tell.