I’ve learnt not to trust what the internet says when it comes to some of my plants. "Indirect light only" sure buddy, my queen of the night flowered 8 times this summer in a wide open west facing window... Plants are absolutely ridiculous. Love them.
I really relate to this essay, especially the part about being surprised at your own half-assed capabilities. I feel like we have expectations for what success looks like, and we’re taught it only comes when you pour all of your energy and then some into whatever you’re doing, but honestly half-assing it sometimes is all you need to do. I love hearing about your garden and am happy it’s growing!
i have this suspicion that most people are half-assing it all the time but just telling everyone they're "giving 110%" or whatever because thats how you create an image as a "successful" person. i think it's a big farce!
This goes with a theme that comes up a lot in the chronic illness community. Sometimes when you just stop trying so damn hard to get well, then things start to shift. Another reminder that perpetually doing is unnatural and overrated!
You always have to try practical application to understand the truest nuance in anything. Entropy is for sure, but we have to understand that half assed application provides a good chance and meaning in gardening or anything:)
This is so helpful to hear. I’ve been putting off gardening until I “have more energy”, and now realizing that I never will. As long as I can muster up a watering a few times a week, hopefully not everything will die.
This article speaks to me, in particular your remarks about clay. I planted a memorial tree last year and after digging through the first three inches of solid clay I was ready to quit because I questioned how if I'm struggling to dig through this mess could the tiny tree roots grow? The resilence to thrive is remarkable. Stunning Benjamins!! :)
yeah it's amazing, I read that clay is good for roots because it's so firm that it makes a really solid base for plants, although sometimes it can get so packed that air can't get in there and that can be bad. but i think for the most part plants are just strong as hell and we underestimate them!
omg clay soil. I moved from an area with extremely sandy soil and managing a garden here has been BONKERS. my tomatoes (and the godforsaken weeds) get so TALL. I had a garden here for 4 years at a community plot but I gave it up due to the uncertainty of this year and my own physical limitations. I loved gardening and it drove me crazy. I lost all my tomatoes last year to blight.
All this has been on my mind recently. I’ve been overseeing a veggie farm greenhouse (first time doing that) and amazed by the plants, also experiencing a lot of fatigue. Thanks for your writing as always.
I’ve learnt not to trust what the internet says when it comes to some of my plants. "Indirect light only" sure buddy, my queen of the night flowered 8 times this summer in a wide open west facing window... Plants are absolutely ridiculous. Love them.
I really relate to this essay, especially the part about being surprised at your own half-assed capabilities. I feel like we have expectations for what success looks like, and we’re taught it only comes when you pour all of your energy and then some into whatever you’re doing, but honestly half-assing it sometimes is all you need to do. I love hearing about your garden and am happy it’s growing!
i have this suspicion that most people are half-assing it all the time but just telling everyone they're "giving 110%" or whatever because thats how you create an image as a "successful" person. i think it's a big farce!
This goes with a theme that comes up a lot in the chronic illness community. Sometimes when you just stop trying so damn hard to get well, then things start to shift. Another reminder that perpetually doing is unnatural and overrated!
You always have to try practical application to understand the truest nuance in anything. Entropy is for sure, but we have to understand that half assed application provides a good chance and meaning in gardening or anything:)
Better half-assed than never!!
Yeppers!!!
Benjamin is BAE.
"the clay is my mother" ... OH HECK. You read me for filth!
AKA Thank you for your words. We need you.
Woah - this means the WORLD to me to read. I love this piece - you're a great writer! - and I'm truly honored my writing was helpful to you!!!
Aww thank you! You inspire me!!!!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Lying in bed with something like strep throat, idly picking at “the list”. Yeah this is timely as always. Thank you.
I love Benjamin
I love the last part!
I made my first compost heap this season and was EXACTLY like this. Great post
This is so helpful to hear. I’ve been putting off gardening until I “have more energy”, and now realizing that I never will. As long as I can muster up a watering a few times a week, hopefully not everything will die.
beautiful read, thank you for sharing it! i, too, end up buying a bunch of sauces at the grocery store
This article speaks to me, in particular your remarks about clay. I planted a memorial tree last year and after digging through the first three inches of solid clay I was ready to quit because I questioned how if I'm struggling to dig through this mess could the tiny tree roots grow? The resilence to thrive is remarkable. Stunning Benjamins!! :)
yeah it's amazing, I read that clay is good for roots because it's so firm that it makes a really solid base for plants, although sometimes it can get so packed that air can't get in there and that can be bad. but i think for the most part plants are just strong as hell and we underestimate them!
omg clay soil. I moved from an area with extremely sandy soil and managing a garden here has been BONKERS. my tomatoes (and the godforsaken weeds) get so TALL. I had a garden here for 4 years at a community plot but I gave it up due to the uncertainty of this year and my own physical limitations. I loved gardening and it drove me crazy. I lost all my tomatoes last year to blight.
some of the stuff I've been growing has gotten freakishly huge too, is it the clay?? thats so interesting
All this has been on my mind recently. I’ve been overseeing a veggie farm greenhouse (first time doing that) and amazed by the plants, also experiencing a lot of fatigue. Thanks for your writing as always.