Transplanting

Monday, May 30, 2011
Yesterday, we had a break in the drizzly, cool weather and I managed to sandwich transplanting all seedlings into their forever homes of raised beds and flower pots around a full work day. This meant changing into my grubby clothes twice in one day, but really, it had to be done. 

I know half of you have had your gardens in for at least two weeks so least you think I'm a slacker, let me assure you that around here we don't dare plant outside until Memorial Day weekend. June 1 is pretty much the unofficial "it probably won't freeze again until September" date. Then again, it might freeze on July 4. You've got to keep your head on a swivel in these parts.

And this shall be dubbed "Salsa Escalade" (Peppers, tomatoes and tomatillos)
I've been feeling a bit transplanted myself lately. The whole return to work thing has turned my weekly schedules and daily routines upside down. While I know I should feel like the transplanted seedlings, all refreshed with a cool drink of water and ready to spread out my roots, the truth is that I feel more like I've gone from my roomy home in the raised bed and am now trying to shove myself back into a seed starting tray. Just . . . not.  . .quite . . . enough . . . room.
Hmmm, they looked bigger when they were in their trays. (Broccoli, kohlrabi, cabbage; zucchini and squash in the plastic bottle "cloches")
It's the time of the year when both my successes and my failures become a little more obvious to the entire world. Plants that have been nurtured along all spring get put out in the elements, where they'll either thrive or flop. (I've already managed to kill off one basil plant.) We'll see just how much the plants really like the "soil" (a mixture of sand, peat moss, top soil and humus and manure) we placed in the new raised bed garden. And we'll see how long I can maintain perpetual busy-ness before I just want to curl up in a ball in bed.
Sometimes I forget that transplanting is an adjustment period for both me and the plants. It's a shock to suddenly find ourselves submerged in brand-new surroundings we're supposed to feel instantly at home in. "But this place is a little shadier than where I've come from," we think. "I'm not sure if this soil is quite ready for us."  
Onions, garlic, carrots, radishes, herbs, and mystery plant
But with plenty of water and a bit of sunshine, this will all be feeling like everyday in no time.

10 comments:

  1. I'm in a transition-place myself right now. I'll cross my fingers that we both can spread our roots and thrive.

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  2. Great metaphor.... especially since your garden is so perfect!

    Change always come with an adjustment period. Just go to decide to hold fast through it.

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  3. I really enjoyed your analogy of life as you shared your planting/transplanting story. There is much to be learned about life from the planting of seeds and transplanting of young plants. Perhaps the hardest of all is thinning, pulling out perfectly good looking little plants to make room for slightly better little plants in order that there is enough room to really grow. Sigh. This is the work of our Master Gardener. blessings on your garden and life!

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  4. Ada, talk of transistion and I am right up there with you! I do not believe in failures rather in a chance to think a situation over and start anew. Its one more change given to me!
    I do love your garden though and I amsure when all of the analogy gets watered the right way all will be fine ;-)

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  5. Good luck in your transition phase. Hope you and your garden come out of it well. I sense change is around the corner for me...and while it frightens me on some level, I'm looking forward to it on another.

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  6. Good luck!! I want raised beds next year. We'll see how it goes.

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  7. Beautiful! I can't wait to see how they do! Its funny- it goes from maybe too cold to plant to almost 90 degrees today? nothing like extreme temps...

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  8. Great analogy!! And I'm so jealous of your raised beds...you're going to have an abundance of produce shortly!!

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  9. Your garden looks great! I'm so jealous. We have too much shade for a proper garden, but it sure does keep the electric costs down in the summer. :)

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