Gardening: I’ve Run Out Of Excuses

I was recently invited (by my boss, no less) to go in on a community garden plot with her this year. Apparently, she and her husband do this every year, but because they are getting a bit older, they can’t handle a full plot. We both live fairly close to each other. The spot of ground is located behind her lovely Episcopalian church conveniently about 5 miles between our two homes. Our families could  “share the load” of the chores such as watering, weeding, etc. and eventually “share the bounty”. In theory, it certainly seems like a win-win!

Mr. MoSop loved the idea (to my chagrin, I confess). We agreed this would be a very worthwhile family project for a long list of reasons. And, it could even turn out that we wouldn’t kill everything and could enjoy some fresh home-grown veggies.

Here’s my problem:

I’m completely clueless on planting and tending a vegetable garden. . . and, I’m lazy.

For years I’ve been a “slothful and unwise servant” when it comes to this particular aspect of my religion. Mormons have been strongly encouraged – nigh unto commanded –  to have a veggie garden. This is part of our strong belief in being hard-working self-sufficient citizens, and for being prepared for any number of disasters (economic, physical, natural, etc..). In 2003 the church even launched an entire website devoted to Provident Living.

I remember when our beloved prophet President Spencer W. Kimball spoke about planting and growing a garden way back during General Conference in 1978 – urging members to “grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property..”

So far, I’ve been selectively ignoring that command.

My parents are not to blame. They were fabulous gardeners. Mom put up a full pantry-load of canned fruit and veggies every fall which we would enjoy during the winter, and her raspberry jam was famous.

I’ve had a lot of “very good excuses” over the years. I’ve reasoned that I have successfully been “growing” two children, and I’ve gardened flowers, and trees, so this should earn points, right?. . . But, no veggies.

• House #1 was an apartment with simply “nowhere to garden”. I held onto that reasoning despite the fact that President Kimball totally anticipated this excuse, saying: “Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters

• House #2 had a ridiculously huge yard. We always intended to garden. We reserved a lovely large corner of the backyard for our garden. We fenced it off. We had our neighbor come over and till it every spring.  That was as far as we ever got. After 3 years we  tried to “cover up our guilt” by putting the large trampoline we purchased “for the kids” in our garden spot to “protect the grass”. I never “found the time” (or energy) to fulfill my garden duty.

• House #3: In the heart of the city. It had a smaller yard (but plenty of sunshiny space in the back for a garden). At that point, I was a full-time student, full-time singer and full-time mom. Mr. MoSop was serving in the bishopric of our congregation, and working two jobs…again, no garden. To be totally honest, by now we’d simply grown accustomed to being “non-gardeners”. Mr. MoSop’s parents had a large garden, and they always shared their extra produce with us, so we comfortably reasoned we didn’t really need our own garden anyway!

• House #4: Our current home. It has a big backyard filled with lovely shade trees. Lots and lots and lots of shade trees. No sun = no garden. That’s been our current excuse we’ve been sticking to comfortably for over 7 years. That, and being very busy going about our daily lives, of course. (The “too busy” excuse is always such a solid fall-back!)

But, my day of reckoning has finally arrived.

I’ve been put into the (rather uncomfortable) position of having thoroughly run out of excuses, and I realize I must repent of my slothful ways.

“But [s]he that doeth not anything until [s]he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.” D&C 58:29

Basically, I’ve been damned for over 22 years of my adult life. (*hanging head in shame*)

Thankfully, the Lord has not given up on me yet! He’s reached out and given me another chance to redeem myself.

1. A perfectly viable way to have a garden, despite my too-shady backyard situation.
2. A direct invite from my boss, which means I cannot pull out my Laziness Excuse, or any other excuse. (awkward!)

“And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a [wo]man sometimes, if [s]he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and [s]he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.” – Alma 32:13

Hooray, I’m saved!

IRONY DULY NOTED:  My salvation on this matter is coming via the Episcopalians.  🙂

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This still leaves me with the pesky issue of not knowing what I’m doing or how to proceed.

Anyone out there wish to impart any words of gardening wisdom? Suggestions as to where to start? What items should I actually attempt to grow that would have the most hope for survival? Should I use seeds or plants? Any “gardening pitfalls” I should avoid? Tips for saving money?

I’m all (repentant) ears.

Related WP articles

• Hope and gardening (thiscircleofquiet.wordpress.com)
• One of the Perks of Joining a Community Garden Plot (kidsdiggardens.wordpress.com)
• Coordinating the Communal Community Garden (kidsdiggardens.wordpress.com)