A Severe Case of Garden Withdrawal
On Sunday night I got back from a business trip that lasted seven whole days, meaning seven days away from the garden. And not just any seven days, but the seven days of that crucial last week of May when so much happens so fast.
There is only one way to recover from a case of Garden Withdawal, and that is Binge Gardening. I had Monday off, and so Monday morning I was at Gethsemane Garden Center the minute they opened. I then proceeded to spend an amount equal to the GDP of a small Central American nation.
I bought a few perennials to fill holes in the Driveway and Sidewalk Borders, as well as a whole lot of summer annuals for containers (more on that in another post).
Subsequently I engaged in a whirlwind of planting, as well as weeding, edging, lawn mowing, cutting back, and emergency staking. Monday through Wednesday I gardened like a man possessed, not stopping until dusk.
Actually, when I returned the garden was in a transitional period, with lots of growth but only a modest amount of color. The Alliums are fading, while Amsonia, Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum), and some Hardy Geraniums continue to bloom.
Tomorrow morning I am flying to Toronto to participate in the Garden Bloggers Fling. Very much looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends as well as what promises to be a fabulous assortment of gardens. Although after such a brief reunion with my own garden, I may feel a bit of separation anxiety.
I’m linking this post to the Wednesday Vignette meme hosted by Annamadeit at Flutter and Hum. Click the link to see more stunning garden vignettes.
gardeninacity 
I’m near Toronto. Which gardens are on the tour, pray tell?
Way too many for me to list, but here’s a link. http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.ca/p/2015-toronto.html
Thank you. I visited. That will be a fabulous Fling.
Oh, I can just feel how that whirlwind of gardening activity brought you back to equilibrium. I know the feeling exactly – there is nothing that can ground you as well as a few days of creative playing in the world of green… I SO envy you for going to the Fling – I wish I could go this year. Toronto is one of my favorite cities, and it would be fun to see it from a gardening perspective. alas, had it been in July, the timing would have worked MUCH better for me. Oh well… I wish you and the others a wonderful trip and lots of fun times together. 🙂
Sorry I won’t get to see you. This will by my first trip to Toronto. I agree the timing wasn’t great, July would have been better for me as well.
I know the feeling exactly! Have a great time in Toronto
Thanks!
I don’t know how you manage it all! I’d be on my knees … golden alexanders looks lovely. We have a green alexanders in Europe – Smyrnium olasatrum – that I never have any success in germinating.
Not sure if those plants are related. Golden Alexander is quite easy to grow, at least here.
Same family – Apiceae. Same habit, same appearance, different flower colour. The interesting thing about them is that if you have them they are ‘easy’ (even invasive – which is how ‘my’ alexanders is often described). If you don’t, and have to get in seed (like me), they are tricky. But so beautiful, if you are trying to establish wild plantings in a garden. I used to work in a garden where there were lots of ‘alexanders’, and I adored it. But blow me if I can replicate the effect (with bluebells) in my own garden! Have trawled the internet trying to discover correct germination technique.
Wonderful to spend so much time in your garden and so much money of course.. That is part of the fun and your garden deserves it after a week’s neglect. I hate being away from mine too. But what fun to go to the Fling, I wish I could come. Looking forward to hearing all about it.
Well, I tell Judy I would waste far more money if I was a compulsive gambler, so she should look on the bright side. Wish you could make it to the Fling as well. Maybe another year!
Have a fabulous ‘fling’ in Toronto. Your garden will have a chance to recover from all that attention you gave it and reward you when you get home!
The garden always provides rewards, but it always needs attention!
Important to get your gardening fix when you can, especially at this time of year! Enjoy your Bloggers’ Fling (sounds intriguing).
Thanks, Sam!
Happy traveling and touring, but I’m betting your fingers will be itching to get back to your own garden. 🙂
You know me too well.
I feel your pain! Last week, between library folderol and dog brouhaha, I didn’t spend much time in the garden. Then came the rain. Yesterday, I was back in the swing and plan to be out there again today. Have a great time in Toronto.
Always seize those moments when you can be out there in the garden.
Binge gardening — love it! 🙂
Anything worth doing is worth a good binge.
You have inspired me. I’m heading out to the garden right now. Thanks for prying me away from this machine this morning!
Have fun!
That stopover in your own garden between trips should sustain you through binge garden visiting in Toronto.
In three days I will be completely spent.
Thanks, Jason, for introducing me to the Vignette meme. I just happened to be composing one. See it at https://johnsviccellio.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/a-shady-vignette/
Sounds like serendipity to me.
I binge from time-to-time, but I can understand yours as your garden is gorgeous! Have fun at the Fling.
It sounds like you did a weeks worth of work in three days. But I bet it had plenty of fun moments.
Have fun in Toronto.
It was a bit frenzied, but also fun as you say.
See you in Toronto. I am here now and ready for flinging!
I’m going to binge garden this weekend. Have fun on your trip!
Enjoy your binge! As a great Chicagoan once said, make no small plans!
A bing and a fling…my you are a busy gardener. Have fun and enjoy.
Thanks! Just got back and I did!
Great post! Yep, a lot can happen so fast…
Yes, that’s absolutely true.
After a week away from your garden you deserve a binge, I shall look forward to seeing your purchases!
Enjoy your fling, although it’s a shame about the timing…..xxx
I’m sure I’ll be including the new plants in future posts.
I hate having to go away from my garden at this time of year; I always worry about what I’m missing. (This is why I’ve never gone to any of the flings; our garden season in Maine is much too short to give up part of it to visit other people’s gardens.)
I would probably do the same.
I LOVE binge gardening. When I lived way up north -the- planting date was the Victoria Day weekend. You really couldn’t plant much before then because of the lingering cold and if you planted anything later it wouldn’t have enough time to grow because of the early frosts. So everyone would swarm to the garden centers to buy plants on that one particular date. Then we would disperse to our various homes and spend the entire weekend digging and planting. Food? Drink? Sleep? bah Ok. Maybe not everyone … just the crazy gardeners. It must have become an established body memory because I still do the same thing here even though the urgency isn’t real. Only now I can do the same thing over many weekends.
I get very antsy once the snow disappears which sometimes leads to premature planting … which leads to replanting.
Hope you enjoyed the Fling. I can see why you did a whirlwind of gardening as you would be gone again to the Fling.
That did make it a little challenging.
I hate to be away from mine too. It astonishes me how much things can change in 24 hours this time of year.
So many plants, so few weekends.
fling a great idea again:-) I totally get the “garden withdrawl” it can be a tough one! LOL
It can be downright excruciating.