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Some Things That Look Broke Don't Need Fixing

© Mary Henry

I have a refrigerator magnet that says "Housework done right can kill you." my understanding of the meaning in those words is that perfection requires more than it is humanly possible to give. Perfection in your garden is also an unattainable goal. Gardens are made up of living things and with living things there are always changes. Nothing remains the same for very long. If the perfect garden is your goal, you need a different hobby.

There are times that we want the garden to look its best, but the definition of "best" depends on your level of acceptance of the natural order of things. Most of the time, my tolerance level is relatively high, but, right now, like most of you, I'm finding my threshold has been passed and most of it is weather related.

We've had one of the coldest, wettest springs on record. With the torrents of rain there was often high winds and hail. To cap it all many places were flooded. The list of problems produced by such weather is long and complicated. I've gone from the early opinion that this might be my garden's finest year, to near despair and finally to the realization that the garden will survive and maybe things will be better next year.

What should we do about holes in the leaves? About weeds that shoot up over night? About brown spots and yellow leaves and...?

First. Relax. What appears to be a monumental amount of work staring you in the face, may actually be little more than you would routinely do once you separate what can be changed from what can't.

The most important rule is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." At first glance, everything seems "broke". There are both holes and tears in leaves. There are plants chewed off at the ground. Some have been skeletonized. Others have various kinds of brown spots, streaks and edges or have turned completely yellow. Flowers and buds have fallen off, opened with streaking and deformities and new buds are not forming.

There are caterpillars everywhere. Insects have rolled up and glued the leaves shut with webs on some of the perennials and the slugs are unbelievable. You'd think we'd traded with Washington state except they forgot to take the mosquitoes that we offered!

Oh, Woe is us. Well, maybe not.

That fridge magnet could just as easily read "Gardening done right can kill you." It's time to let go of perfection so that you can get through this season in the best style possible without making gardening your least favorite activity.