Views and Mews by Coffee Kat

Home | Pages | Archives

Reflections — The transitioning garden and it’s symbolism

May 26, 2016 8:46 am

This year I used a paper weed barrier that will disintegrate over the summer.

This year I used a paper weed barrier that will disintegrate over the summer.

There are visions of ripe tomatoes dancing in my head. I love tomatoes the same way I love a margarita or a mocha latte. And so the saga continues.

This week I planted my garden. I am very late. The vegetables I planted like warm soil and our soil hasn’t been warm. Tomatoes, basil, cucumbers and parsley went in. Finally.

I have been planting a garden since I was a kid. It is difficult to find really tasty tomatoes. Most stores and even farm stands refrigerate them and that kills the flavor. So each year spurred on by dreams of tomatoes, I dig, plant and reap the rewards.

Every year it gets more daunting.

I don’t know if it’s the desire or interest or energy level or just plain aging. Bags of top soil and mulch are heavier. Digging is harder. For the same job (with less plants) it’s a bigger project.

I have cut back considerably. Last year I had enough tomatoes for myself. The neighbors were out of luck. This year I planted even less plants.

I have always loved working around the house, indoors and out. House projects, as long as they are not too daunting, are fun. (OMG! I said wrote that out loud!)

Not so much anymore. I love sitting and admiring the finished project. I can do that for hours. The hoisting and bending, stooping and redoing are not my favorite parts.

The days of paying a neighborhood kid $20 to dig your garden are long gone. Kids don’t need $20 and they don’t have the time with all their activities. Besides I rarely see kids dirty these days.

I remember when my mother stopped planting her garden. She was in her 70s and it was just too much work. For me it was a sad day. Not because of the garden but for what it symbolized. I had an aging parent who would leave me one day soon.

Now I am at that same point. Perhaps next year is the time to put the tomato plant in a pot on the patio.

Of course, I said that last year. As long as there is a spark of enthusiasm over that silly tomato, I still go out and plant. For another year. You never know which year will be the last.

Here are those damn tomatoes that entice me.

Here are those damn tomatoes that entice me. I can just taste them!

 

Share this:

Posted by Kate Crimmins

Categories: Aging Gracefully, Life at Home, Retirement, Transition

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

48 Responses to “Reflections — The transitioning garden and it’s symbolism”

  1. I think it’s wise to just concentrate on the size plot that will make it an enjoyable showing for you and not to plant for the neighbors! I have done that in the past–the idea that if 3-6 plants is doable, why not a dozen? I hope you’ll find a way to keep your lovely garden tomatoes for many years to come. They bring you joy, and that’s reason enough to hoist those garden bags. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    By Debra on May 28, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    1. That made me smile. It’s also going to the garden center and not being decisive. You know…maybe I’ll try this variety or that…then you end up with a dozen plants for 2 people. No more. I bought vine-ripened tomatoes this week at our upscale grocer and they were pretty bland. They were also cold so they had been refrigerated. However, with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, a little balsamic and salt and pepper, I was in heaven.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 29, 2016 at 8:45 am

  2. Ummmmm…carry a salt shaker out to the garden. Wipe it off on my jeans and bite right in. Nothing better! And I don’t think you planted too late…You’ll just be that much more ready when you finally get your first crop! ~Lynn

    Liked by 1 person

    By Encore Voyage on May 27, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    1. I’m supposed to clean them first? I knew I forgot something.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 28, 2016 at 8:49 am

  3. Our tomatoes have been in pots from the very start. It never occurred to me that you could plant them in the ground.

    Liked by 1 person

    By circumstance227 on May 27, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    1. They do well in the ground although they may take a little longer since a pot will warm up faster.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 27, 2016 at 4:02 pm

  4. CH planted cherry tomatoes this year… we will see who gets to them first… 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    By Under the Oaks on May 27, 2016 at 8:18 am

    1. I had to put mine in a dog pen to save them from the deer and groundhogs but I still have to share with chipmunks (who love tomatoes!) and birds. Normally it’s only a struggle at the beginning when we fight for the first few. After that there are enough to satisfy us all.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 27, 2016 at 9:07 am

  5. You are so right about the flavor of a homegrown tomato…nothin better! I remember when my mom gave up her garden…it was a sad day indeed.
    Grow on Kate!!

    Liked by 1 person

    By Life With The Top Down on May 27, 2016 at 6:23 am

    1. I’d like to keep on growing at least tomatoes, basil and parsley. I long ago gave up beans, pickling cucumbers, squash, carrots and potatoes (which by the way are wonderful and easy to grow). We are dwindling down to just a few important crops. We have a farm place where we get fabulous corn and most vegetables but they refrigerate their tomatoes.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 27, 2016 at 9:09 am

  6. I don’t know what to say, but I hope you do it as long as possible. In the last year there have been things I have given up, and each breaks my heart. I’m younger than you but less healthy. I would love to have young guys do chores … Sigh. A different age, I guess …

    Liked by 1 person

    By Elyse on May 26, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    1. Perhaps we were born to be plantation ladies with staff. Over the last 5 to 10 years I have cut back on a lot of activities. I won’t do bleacher chairs without backs for concerts. I don’t like sitting in the sun for games or really long car rides. Each individual change goes unnoticed until one day you realize that the things you do and enjoy are different. While there is a sadness, it’s not that I’m unhappy. What makes me happy changed. Oh yes, I won’t do anything without a nearby functioning bathroom that means no street vendors or carnival food. Of course now I am germ phobic it doesn’t seem so bad.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 27, 2016 at 9:18 am

  7. Two years ago we planted tomatoes and other veggies. Last year, we had a ton of volunteer tomatoes (from discarded seeds of the tomatoes a year before) so we were able to enjoy them without the hassle of planting them. This year, no volunteers in sight (darn it!) so I think I’ll try a plant or two in containers…. maybe… later (fortunately we have a late growing season here).

    Liked by 1 person

    By Retirementallychallenged.com on May 26, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    1. I usually get volunteers but this year I put the paper barrier down so for sure I won’t get any.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 27, 2016 at 9:19 am

  8. Enjoy your garden, Kate, but don’t feel like you have to supply everyone with tomatoes! YOU are the one doing the hard work. Savor them.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Carol Ferenc on May 26, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    1. My tomato kindness as ebbed over the past few years. At first the garden was big enough and it was fun. Now that it’s “less fun” it’s every man for themselves.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 27, 2016 at 9:20 am

  9. My dad was one of those people who would go out and grow his own fruit and vegetables. He grew up on a farm and so he never really saw it as hard working in the garden around the house. But as hard as I find it to be, I also find it rewarding. There is also something quite therapeutic about tending to the plants, making sure to help them produce as much as possible, The physical nature of it all can become taxing as I age (I hate admitting that), but I want to keep doing it as long as possible, too. Kate, I hope you get overrun by your tomato output this year. :O)

    Liked by 1 person

    By In My Cluttered Attic on May 26, 2016 at 3:53 pm

    1. There is no such thing as too many tomatoes!

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 4:04 pm

      1. LOL so true!

        Like

        By In My Cluttered Attic on May 26, 2016 at 4:10 pm

  10. Wonderful. I started my own garden this year so I’m looking forward to following you. Happy gardening 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    By nannygrannie on May 26, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    1. Good luck with your garden. It’s work but very rewarding.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 12:45 pm

  11. So true — supermarket tomatoes suck. I remember the first time Andy brought some heirlooms home from the farmer’s market. A little olive oil, salt, and fresh mozzarella and it was heaven.

    I think I grew up believe tomatoes had no taste.

    Liked by 1 person

    By autumnashbough on May 26, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    1. We always grew our own (except for the winter pink ones in cellophane packs). I eat them with a little balsamic and salt. In a sandwich with a slice of sweet onion. Popped in the mouth when I’m in the garden. Clearly I need meetings.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 12:44 pm

  12. I didn’t know that it was refrigeration that killed the taste of tomatoes.

    I’ve always thought it was because they were hothouse. I assumed they need to struggle and get their fight club face on to produce a really tasty tomato.

    Liked by 1 person

    By itsathought2 on May 26, 2016 at 10:49 am

    1. It’s the cold temperatures. Even the ones I bought today (which were clearly refrigerated at the store) said “do not refrigerate.” They like it warm. Tomatoes that continue to grow locally into September aren’t as sweet as the July-August ones. Then again, maybe I am jaded by then.

      Liked by 2 people

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:52 am

      1. I’m really glad to read this. I always toss ours in the fridge, and now I’ll keep them out on the counter. I generally hate grocery store tomatoes, but perhaps it’s because I’ve always refrigerated them.

        Liked by 1 person

        By snakesinthegrass2014 on May 26, 2016 at 6:13 pm

        1. NOOOOO! Do not refrigerate. Let them sit on your counter and temp you every time you walk by.

          Liked by 1 person

          By Kate Crimmins on May 27, 2016 at 9:24 am

  13. Tomatoes are just about my very favorite food in the world (except for chocolate of course). So as I understand it soil and mulch and things are much lighter over my way. I could find it in my heart to allow you to garden behind our house.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Jill Foer Hirsch on May 26, 2016 at 10:35 am

    1. Me? Do another garden project? What did you smoke for breakfast?

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:39 am

  14. Seems like all my excess energy goes to the cat program. I am very fortunate that my hubbie still loves the gardening and plants veges for us each year. Can’t wait for them to grow…nothing like fresh picked veges.

    Liked by 1 person

    By derrycats on May 26, 2016 at 10:19 am

    1. My husband is wonderful but he is not a gardener. If I didn’t plant, there would be no garden. We did a garden center run this morning and checked to see if they had those rectangular patio plants. We were checking for the future. They didn’t. Maybe next year.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:41 am

  15. I’ve never had a garden and I feel like I’m missing out on one of life’s formative experiences. Maybe this will be the year I finally muster the energy on your behalf.

    Liked by 1 person

    By The Good Greatsby on May 26, 2016 at 9:28 am

    1. It all depends on your love of vegetables. There is nothing better than from garden to mouth. Back in the day of my mother’s garden there was corn on the cob. It was picked and made within minutes. Nothing better. Except maybe the fabulous tomatoes.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:42 am

  16. I think downsizing your crop is a good idea, Kate. Who says you’ve got to supply the entire neighborhood? Life’s short…do what you enjoy.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Jill Weatherholt on May 26, 2016 at 9:15 am

    1. I used to plant 9 tomato plants. There are 2 of us so you can do the math. I have downsized. I have 5 plants this year but that was because I couldn’t find what I wanted so I ended up trying 2 different ones to replace it. Next year maybe that pot.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:43 am

  17. Our onions, tomatoes and green beans are doing very well in our buckets! We took a chance with gsrlic too, and three of the four have shot up! I miss our veg patch and apple tree though. Nothing like going out into the garden and picking what you want for dinner.

    Liked by 1 person

    By pensitivity101 on May 26, 2016 at 9:09 am

    1. Weather-wise you are ahead of us. I love that you are making it work on a boat!

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:44 am

      1. We are certainly trying anyway!

        Liked by 1 person

        By pensitivity101 on May 26, 2016 at 10:53 am

  18. We grow “cherry” tomatoes every year in two large containers on our driveway! It is the sunniest spot that we have, and they taste wonderful!Grow tomatoes grow! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    By colinandray on May 26, 2016 at 9:09 am

    1. Cherry tomatoes are my absolute favs. They are sweeter than regular ones. Our driveway is our sunniest spot too but the deer will get them there. I have to find a sunny spot inside the fence.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:45 am

  19. Until we moved to Florida, we grew tomatoes. Now, I just make an annual pilgrimage to Hunsader Farms to pick them at $2 a bucket. One day of work for a bucket of JOY! (And, yes, we are enjoying them to the MAX.)

    Hope your tomatoes do well despite the late-ish start.

    Liked by 2 people

    By nrhatch on May 26, 2016 at 9:00 am

    1. Ah the benefits of living where things grow! I bet your strawberries were good too. The ones we get from California are always white at the stem end and a little tart. They will do ok. Three are cherry tomatoes which are generally early anyway.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:46 am

      1. Florida strawberries are terrific . . . some some of the strawberries are from California. Go figure.

        Liked by 1 person

        By nrhatch on May 26, 2016 at 11:18 am

        1. You must get the good ones. This year was not great to CA strawberries for us. Within a week or so they will be local.

          Like

          By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 12:14 pm

  20. The store tomatoes are terrible. Just something colorful to put in a salad. 😦 Keep gardening as long as you can. 🙂 I never enjoyed doing it, but my husband found enjoyment in it.
    (actually I never did it…)

    Liked by 1 person

    By ladysighs on May 26, 2016 at 8:54 am

    1. Mostly I enjoy the picking but you got to plant to pick.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:47 am

  21. I wonder about things like this, too. My pots of herbs get smaller and fewer each year. The deck on which they sit remains the same size, but my energy is flagging. I’ve decided that as long as I enjoy something I’ll continue with it, if only in a tiny way, to remind myself of what is possible. I don’t have to have it all, just some of it.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Ally Bean on May 26, 2016 at 8:52 am

    1. I have a few perennial herbs in the ground (sage and thyme) which I rarely use. Parsley and basil are staples in our summer menu. Tomatoes show up every day in our food chain. Even today, I bought some “vine-grown” ones that were cool to the touch so I know they had them refrigerated. Boogers. More pots on the deck….or not. Maybe more wine on the deck instead. (Can you grow that?)

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on May 26, 2016 at 10:49 am

Mobile Site | Full Site

Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.