Weeding Therapy

A caladium peaks its new leaves through some ferns and impatiens in one of my planters.

If you were to ask me what my favourite part of gardening is, I might not mention weeding, but it really is a therapeutic practice. While I’m pulling out unwelcome guests, I know I’m also making room for the plants I want to encourage, and making the garden look neat, tidy and beautiful. Also, when I get down there on ground level I see things I miss when I’m gazing over the whole view from my deck. For instance, in moving aside a plant that has grown too big I see there’s another one under there that I once had high hopes for, but is now losing the battle. Part of “weeding” is keeping robust growers reined in so that others get a stab at survival. Dividing plants in the fall is one way to keep them from getting too big and encroaching on their neighbours (it’s also a great way to get free plants and healthy for the mother plant); but through the summer, pulling out new shoots from spreading plants or cutting off a few leaves to give the shorter plants underneath more sun are quick ways to keep things in balance.

Weeding is therapy. It gives your hands something to do, calms the mind, and is sort of mesmerizing and zen-like. Plus there’s the aromatherapy feature, free of charge! The results are deeply satisfying too. I never leave the garden in a bad mood, and usually I’m in a better mood than when I started. I guess that’s the reason I keep gardening!

As a postscript, I’ll add that I went to the Jardins Botaniques de Montréal on Monday to visit the Mosaiculture exhibit. It’s outstanding. The sculptures made with plants are beautiful and some are amazing. It’s definitely worth the price of admission. Highly recommended. I’m including one photo I took there.

Here is the "Farmer planting a tree" from the Mosaiculture Exhibit at Jardins Botaniques de Montréal, — Here is the “Farmer planting a tree” from the Mosaiculture Exhibit at Jardins Botaniques de Montréal,

Also, enjoy the 1st movement of Bach’s First Suite for Cello played by Mischa Maisky. This is for you, Annabelle! And don’t skip the ad at the beginning of the video!

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