I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of puttering among the weeds, annuals and perennials in my gardens. At times I’ve loved working in the garden, and sometimes – not so much. 
Motivated by requests from my dear friend, R, let me share with you, if you have a moment, a few things I’ve learned from my gardening experiences.
Caution: my observations are not those of a master gardener, only a happy one. In the words of Ogden Nash,
My garden will never make me famous,/ I’m a horticultural ignoramus.
1. Gardening is like eating or exercise: I never finish, and I never figure it all out. I’ve given up making a plan for getting my garden “in order.” That’s never going to happen. By the time I finish weeding one flowerbed and turn to the next, behind me, in the freshly turned soil, weeds are pushing their way into the sunlight. “Relax,” I tell myself. “You’ll get to that weed eventually – or not.” And guess what! Sometimes, that weed turns out to be a lovely, mystery flower – fragrant and luxuriously colorful, the star of the garden for one, brief summer.
2. [a corollary to #1] The axiom for my garden, if I wish to remain sane, is, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” I never, and I do mean never look at the big picture when it comes to gardening chores. I’m an inspirational gardener. (Doesn’t that sound great?) I might look up from reading and think, “The pond really does look a bit murky; let me get some of the leaves out of the bottom.” I do not wait. I grab an old bucket from among my gardening tools, roll up my pant legs, and kneel over my little pond, scooping out handfuls of dead leaves here and there ’til the urge passes. There is still muck in the bottom of my pond, but never mind. It is a bit cleaner than it was 30 minutes before. And, my pond, my goldfish and I have enjoyed a happy, though brief encounter. 
3. If you love it, it’s perfect! Need I say more?
4. Nothing is permanent; enjoy the surprises. I’ve learned to see gardening as a negotiated truce. The weather, the plants, the earth and I will all try to get along and compose ourselves with some beauty and grace. The outcome may not be what I’d dreamed of or hoped for, but such is life.
5. A few tricks to ease the way: These may not be new to you, but then again…
¤ Keep a trowel and gardening gloves handy. (See Tip #2) When you see a languishing mum, move it – don’t wait; if a volunteer petunia appears, replant it now to a comfy flowerbed.
¤ Pesky pets peeing on your flowers and pooping in your grass? Try mothballs. Generously sprinkle mothballs among the flowers and in the grass. Your garden will lose a bit of its olfactory charm for you, and more importantly, for Boots or Rover too. Continue reading
through the trees, the colors of blossoms and leaves, the scent of earth and flowers. Perhaps most treasured among the garden’s delights are my friends the song birds. They dine at the 
Opening Lines 