A good garden may have some weeds.
~ Thomas Fuller

How does your garden grow? The age old question!

This year has been a challenge getting the garden up and growing. Normally as soon as the snow melts  I am out digging in the dirt, removing straw from the beds, and laying down black plastic to warm up the soil. I set out my plants, bury my seeds, construct hoop tunnels, and baby every little plant that sprouts from the ground. This year was different.

There were numerous factors why this year was a challenge. To begin with, last year’s early start was not at all successful. I had grown most of my plants from seed over the winter and in my exuberance planted them at what I thought to be a reasonable time. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. We had a severe freeze and I lost many of the plants I had grown from seed. To say I was demoralized wouldn’t be a stretch.

Another reason I was reluctant to get the process going was the considerable amount of time and effort it takes to keep plants protected. Every evening I would be out making sure the plants were covered so they didn’t get too cold, and every morning would find me out removing the same coverings for fear the little darlings might get too hot. Choosing not to plant early this year,  I reasoned that putting a plant in the ground before the proper time would surely stunt the plants growth, at least for a time; therefore I probably was not gaining a thing by planting out early.

And so, this year I waited. Only time will tell if it will make a difference or not. The peas are now blossoming, the spinach and lettuce is leafy and the broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower are heading! The harvest for my spring veggies has already begun!

Today as I walk through the garden,  I find myself wondering…”How does my garden grow in the arena of life?”  and “What parallels can I apply outside of my garden? ”

I have a tendency to want things now. I have little patience to wait on God’s timing and very often recklessly forge ahead without counting the cost. Sometimes I’m successful, but I fail often enough that He gets my attention.  All the effort and hard work gets me no further along than if I would have waited; needless time spent spinning my wheels.

I am grateful for God’s patience with me and am certain He has a great sense of humor. He continues to pull at the weeds in my garden, allowing for greater growth and beauty in the future.

So… How does your garden grow?

 

How Does your Garden Grow shared with:

Crafty Spices: Wordless Wednesday

Be There 2 Day: Wordless Wednesday

Southern Beauty Guide: Let’s Be Friends

New Mama Diaries: Turn it up Tuesday

The Shady Porch: Party on the Porch

The Crafty Wife: The Wednesday Roundup 

Easy Life Meal and Party Planning: Four Season’s Blog Hop

Sweet Haute: La Dolce Vita: Thursday Sweet Haute Share Link Party

Lambert’s Lately: Create it Thursday

Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyholic: Pin it Party

Living Well Spending Less: Thrifty Thursday

Homestead Lady: Green Thumb Thursday

Calm Healthy Sexy: Let’s Get Real

The Cookie Puzzle: Party in Your PJ’S

Coffee With Us 3: Pretty Pintastic Party

Create With Joy: Inspire Me Monday

Creative K Kids: Bloggers Brag

Ducks ‘n a Row: Plucky’s Second Though Link Party

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”