By Kathy Miele
I came walking up my driveway dragging a shovel, rake and an old spackle bucket. I dropped them by the garage door then opened a bottle of water and began guzzling it.
Steven came around the side of the house, the weed whacker in his hands. “Did you have fun at the garden?” he asked.
This year I’d decided to join the towns’ community garden. I’d taken a small bed that I’d planned on filling with beefsteak tomatoes and red and green peppers. It wasn’t going to be anything fancy, just a small little garden where I’d tend my vegetables. I pictured myself wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, holding a pretty little basket in the crook of my arm that I’d fill weekly with my delicious vegetables.
That dream was now gone as I now looked down at my mud caked pants and sneakers. I was thinking about throwing them out because they were so filthy. I didn’t even want them in my washing machine. “I think I just found out I’m not much of a gardener.” I admitted. I had an itch on my nose that I was afraid to scratch because my hands were so dirty. “That garden is solid clay!” I complained. “It’s been rototilled twice and I can barely get a shovel through the dirt!”
I pointed to the clay caked shovel to prove my point. “Most of the other gardeners have had their plants in for over a week!” I whined. I gave up on worrying about getting dirt on my face and scratched my itchy nose.
“Do you want me to go over with you and help you get the plants in?” Steven asked.
“Oh I got the plants in.” I said finishing off the bottle of water. I was still thirsty and realized I was seriously thinking about turning on the garden hose that was laying by the garage for another drink.
“Well that’s good news!” Steven said as he took the shovel and began tapping it against the driveway trying to knock off some of the clay before putting it away.
“I guess so.” I said. “I planted the tomatoes first. But by the time I finished planting the pepper plants I looked back at the tomato plants and they were already wilting!” I complained.
“That happens sometimes.” Steven said. “Some plants get shocked when you first put them in. They should be fine.” I could tell he was trying to make me feel better.
“Well I’m setting my alarm early tomorrow to go check on them.” I said.
“Wow, that’s dedicated.” He sounded impressed.
“Dedicated?” I looked at him a bit confused. “I’m just trying to get there before all the other gardeners show up. This way if my plants are dead I can rip them out before any of them see and plant some new ones!”
