Not so many years ago we planted dozens of tomatoes in full sun in the garden. They thrived as they are sun-lovers. The last couple of years, with drought conditions, we cut back drastically on our summer garden, putting out a handful of tomato plants, a few squashes, some peppers.
This summer we have been blessed with abundant water, due to the four huge rainwater catchment tanks acquired last winter thanks to Sangha. So we planted more of everything, since it seemed everything could thrive with ample hydration.
Well, the garden is a learning place, and gives us new information all the time. The new information this summer? It is hot, hotter than ever, and even plenty of water and layers of shade cloth could not support even sun-loving plants to thrive. The contrast between a robust group of tomatoes that are under the oak tree’s shade much of the day and some spindly, droopy, barely-producing relatives across the way in full sun tells us that we are living in new times.
The garden is speaking to us, as it always does. So, time to move some beds under those lovely, protecting oaks. Time to pay more attention to where the sun/shade lines are, so we have beds shaded in summer but enjoying the slanting winter rays.
Conditioned mind has lots to say about what the plants should do and what we should do. The garden invites us into a different conversation, one that is vital, grounded, full of useful information. It will tell us what we need to know. Our part: pay attention.
Gassho,
Penny