Monday, June 1, 2009

Garden Space

Nothing cleanses the soul like gardening. This applies to big or small spaces and the finished product may be admired for many months. However, along with the soil digging comes the many hours of watering and sunlight.

I have paid children, friends and anyone walking down the street to come water my garden when traveling. My first assessment when I return is the garden. July and August in the Washington area can be disastrous without a daily and sometimes twice a day watering.

I finally invested in the battery operated gadget that automatically turns the water on when programed. Of course nothing is without some drawback. My garden gate opens to a slanted alleyway and the water flows out to the sidewalk and street much to my neighbor's dismay. So I set the time for 4 AM hoping the excess water will be gone when she walks down her street.

In many US and European areas interesting private gardens are open to the public once a year. The Garden Conservancy's Open Days are available online at www.opendaysprogram.org. Admission is typically $5. The hours are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There are a few gardens in the area open June 6 and 7. This is a great way to see which plants grow under sunny or shady conditions and view various garden designs. Beautiful gardens help sell homes!