Despite what some "experts" would have you think, there is only one immutable gardening 'Rule'. It may have other names in other places, but to me it is the "But, First" rule. It is often, but not always, paired with the "And, Then" rule.
The "But, First" rule is inescapable in gardening as well as other aspects of life. Very simply put it means you cannot do anything without having to do something else first.
Say you think you'll plant a few seeds this year. O.K., but, first you have to check out the seed catalogs. O.K., got your list? Ready to place that order? O.K., but, first you have to add up the total plus shipping. How on earth could a few packets of seed cost that much? You'll have to narrow down that list so you don't have to mortgage the farm. Done that? Let's get that order out. Hmmm, looks like the prices are different in some of the catalogs. O.K., you'll get to that order in a minute, but, first you'd better do some price comparison here so you can get the best deal and maybe save enough so you can add back some of those seeds you had to drop. You get the picture.
Simple as ordering a few seeds sounds, the "But, First" rule means that by the time you place that order you've spent hours looking at catalogs, dreaming of gardens, researching plants, making lists and changing them. When you dream up a garden project, , the "But, First" rule is one you have to re-learn every time.
Late last winter, I was relaxing in a nice, steamy bath, where my best and most creative thinking takes place. I'd been salivating over catalog descriptions and pictures of various purple-leaf Heucheras and was mulling over in my mind just where I could put some. Suddenly I had a brainstorm! I'd finally get that bed I'd been dumping spent potting soil on for years done and put them there. Perfect! Should be easy, it's a small bed. My mind hummed away, thinking about just what I'd put with them and how gorgeous they'd be next summer.
By the time I'd gotten out of the bath, I'd mentally put several more plants with them and went happily to bed. With only a moderate amount of hemming and hawing, the plants were selected and orders placed. Spring arrived and so did the plants. Time to get that bed ready. But, first spring clean up, so better just pot them up for a while. Spring rush over, I'm finally ready to get that bed done and plant those babies.
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Marge Talt's Shade Gardening topic, please visit the Discussions page.