Top 5 ways a garden is like life
Written by Michael Vass
Everyone loves a top 10 list. Some may prefer 5, or 25, or even 100, but everyone will still check out that top 10. So when I saw a list of top 10 ways life is like gardening, I had to check it out.
The list is not the best, and towards the end it get a bit preachy. [Actually it seems to start that way too] But it does cover all the basics.
Here are the best parts in my mind.
- It takes a lot of hard work to make a garden grow. Hellooooo, everyone who feels that life owes you something for nothing. Sometimes you have to bend down, dig around and get some dirt under your nails to see good results. Your back and knees will ache. But the pain will seem worth it later, sitting on your patio with a cold beer or iced tea, admiring the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor.
- A good plan will solve many problems. “Plan” is not a four-letter word. Take some time before planting to think things through, read up on the best practices, anticipate challenges and details, learn from someone who knows a little more. This prep work will result in beautiful arrays all season long, rather than a flame of color that burns out after July 4.
- On the other hand, understand that you can’t plan for everything. Sometimes, despite our best forward-thinking efforts, weeds happen. Deal with it. Don’t whine. It’s ugly and unproductive.
- Death happens. It’s OK if your lawn turns brown from July through September. It’ll come back in October, right on schedule. This dormancy period is nature’s way of giving the grass a break and helping it prepare for winter. Death is a part of life, and life is about the long haul, not just the moment.
The rest of the list covers things like God is the best at gardening and everything, or no matter how beautiful things look on the surface there are gross things there too. And so on.Like I said parts of this list are preachy. But if the above are the 4 best parts there leaves room for 1 more (because no list should have less than 5).
- No matter how green, big or colorful your garden is, there’s always a bigger better garden around the corner. So love yours and be happy.
Not too preachy is it?
