We just got back from a little getaway. So much to catch up on like laundry, but yesterday morning I spent four hours working in my yard. After seeing the gorgeous gardens all over Santa Barbara I was motivated to get back there and clear things out. I could have worked out, but this was far better than a workout. I challenge anyone to give up working out one day a week and do a few hours in the yard. It’s a fantastic workout for the legs, back, arms and core. Seriously.
We used to have a ‘gardener.’ I use that term lightly as these gentlemen were more what I call, the mow and blow guys. It was questionable what they actually did besides make a lot of noise and blow dirt around. I saw then occasionally clip things. Yes they mowed. Occasionally they would hack something to nothing to my horror, usually one of my favorite plants. I was nice to these guys who had a limited grasp of English, but no horticultural skills at all. They also insisted on spraying weed killer in my yard, which I repeatedly asked them not to. I love having frogs, lizards and all the good things a yard needs and those poisons hurt birds too. Finally one day I returned home and they had hacked away a very old vine I loved. That was it. I finally said goodbye to them.
Now my sons do the lawn and weed pulling. It’s really how it should be. They put plants in for me and sweep up when I ask them. Teenagers need to experience more physical labor jobs! They learn how to take care of plants and weed…These are all satisfying and a life skill. Not enough of those are being learned. Nothing worse than a man who has no clue about his own yard, or other home things. I don’t find it very appealing when a man has to hire someone for all his home tasks, but that is the kinds of people we are raising if we only focus on school as what kids need. They need both!
Anyway, it seems the gardeners did do a little… My back was about to snap after 20 trip to the green bin with leaves that were below my trees I hadn’t noticed. However doing it myself I saw there was an old David Austin rose back there getting swallowed up by a neighbor’s vine. I untangled it and noticed a few baby strawberry plants, some hidden bulbs trying to poke through, and buds of some other lovelies as well as a hole in the fence. I moved geraniums about, repotted a few things, threw out a ton of plants that had given up the ghost, and generally fluffed and cleaned. Something so satisfying about it all.
That was only half the yard. No time to barely clean up, I ran to do a ortho appointment for the teen, getting school supplies and then baking some promised cookies and tacos. I looked like a disaster, ruddy skin, crazy hair and all. My husband came home and said you look so pretty today. Seriously? He says he likes me like this. So gardening is not only good for the yard, but good for your looks? Not sure about that one, but I did feel great at the end of the day and slept like a rock.
I am lucky to have inherited the garden gene from my dad and grandmother. Dad had his first garden at 18 months old and is still growing beautiful flowers and organic vegetables at age 75. I think that’s why he and my grandmother are so healthy, she almost 98!
So tell me have you gardened lately? Would you give up a day of working out to work in the yard? I highly recommend it. You can’t think of anything. but what you are doing and it clears the mind too.
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I completely agree with your entire post. Gardening is good for our soul, our bodies, and our relationships. When you are happy it shows, and that is very attractive. Also, it is important that we teach our children all aspects of life. All children should know how to garden, use basic (including power) tools, and how to fix things. I am always shocked when someone does not know how to change a furnace filter or a tire, sew on a button, cook a meal. So good for you. Our motto here is work hard, play harder. I enjoy your blog. I live in the Central Coast area and love your travel posts.
I did a bit of that on SATURDAY and thought to myself I will not be able to walk on SUNDAY!I did walk and it ALWAYS feels so good!I have a lot more to do……………but I did give my MOW & BLOW guys direction this week.WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO DO!I think they like to be told what to do instead of guessing or whacking down a vine!!!!I have a new POST up did you get the email??Just checking…………XO
Kim,
I agree that gardening is a good workout…it burns a lot of calories and it's very therapeutic! I have been so busy lately that I have only been doing the bare minimum. But I do enjoy it. We have a neighborhood here in San Diego that my husband and I love to walk around. It always gets me motivated to see these beautiful yards and landscapes.
My husband does a lot of yard work and he is pretty handy too… My ex husband hardly ever went in the yard and he wasn't handy at all and I have to say it bugged me. ALOT.
We are one of the few households in our neighborhood that do not have gardeners. Sometimes I wish we did at least for some things but your story sounds like others I have heard. Think we will just keep doing it ourselves!
Have a great week!
Linda
xo
Teresa, Thank you! I love your work hard, play harder motto. Wonderful. I so agree with all you said.. Kids can do quadratic equations here, but they know nothing about checkbooks or how to manage real day-to-day life! I am so glad you like the blog. Your note made my day!
Elizabeth I was wondering how you managed your lovely chateau garden!! I agree getting the point across can sometimes be maddening in respect to yard work!! I have failed miserably at that, but perhaps I was hoping they had some inclination of what to do…! xx Off to read your blog!
Linda I agree gardening is so therapeutic! I bet there are some gorgeous gardens there in San Diego….It's satisfying to do the yard yourself, though some people have no time I know. Funny about the men thing. I just appreciate a guy who is handy. Not all guys are and gosh I have little hope for the younger generations who are learning even less of these skills!
Love this post! I am a gardener, too, though it will be at least 3 weeks till I can do yard cleanup, so am about to start daily yoga as it is such physical and satisfying work! Your garden looks fab! I keep thinking I should be one. An itinerant gardener in the winter, cleaning up people's yards in advance of Spring in nicer climates than my own!
I love your images here, Kim! The greens of a shaded garden are so peaceful. I love your idea of gardening as a workout-and you right on-gardening works nearly every part of your body. It's also soothing for the soul to be in touch with the earth in that way. In our first home together my husband and I created a huge garden, over 40 rose bushes alone, as well as many climbing vines and a veggie garden. It was gorgeous-and soooo much work. In the end we opted for much lower maintenance (and a view) in our current home. I'm glad we are not strapped to our garden every weekend any more but I love to get out and dig in the dirt, herb garden and flowers whenever I am able. Lovely post…and love the sweet compliment from Max!! 😉 xx
Hi Kim, I loved this post! I don't have a garden at my place as we live in a townhome, but I am a member of the Community Garden here in Morgan Hill. It still feels good digging in the dirt even in my little plot. I had ground cover in there this winter so that I could add some nutrients to my soil and use less water. I have just cut all that down and am preparing to plant my tomatoes which include a couple of heirlooms that I have not tried.
I think that physical exertion gives us a certain glow. I remember having an especially tough workout at the gym and only had time to jump in for a quick shower before going out. My friends went on about how great I looked. I was thinking they were on something lol. All I had on make up wise was a bit of lip gloss. You always feel great after a workout even if it takes all you have to get there. Max has good taste!! 🙂
Kelley
What a beautiful post! I love your images! I aspire to be a gardener but never seem to devote the time necessary. Every time I do make the effort, I adore it. I come inside feeling refreshed and accomplished! So why don't I do it more? Elizabeth has been encouraging me and I've done more this year than in the last five years combined. You've inspired me to go back out there. Thanks Kim. Have a great week!
xoxoJennifer
That sounds like a great workout, Kimi. I bet your yard looks lovely and it sounds like Max thinks you do too! (So cute!)
OXOX
Dawn
Wendy I love that….itinerant gardener! Well I forget you guys don't have enough warmth yet and we had too much this year..No winter to speak of!
Thank you Heather. I love greens and whites.Wow your yard sounds like it was fabulous. That must have been a lot of work too. I can see why you'd opt for and easier yard after. I agree it's nice to to gardening and nice not to have to if you want to take off.. xo
Kelley, That is super cool you do the community garden! Let me know how your heirlooms do. I did a bunch last year and had great luck especially with Brandywine tomatoes.
I agree exertion and being active makes you more naturally lovely and that said being less conscious of one's own appearance is also attractive! You are right too you have those endorphins and they help you feel great which helps!! xo
Jennifer I wish I had more time to garden! It's so rewarding and good for the mind too. You would like it…But your yard is already beautiful so I thought you did. xo
Dawn you are sweet. How's your beautiful yard and those pretty tropical plants? xo
Is that you in your garden? Your view is fabulous.
Is that you in your garden? Your view is fabulous.
Wow – you have a really verdant impressive garden. My mother is a huge gardener. My father always says if I did my own cleaning and gardening i could give up the trainer twice a week and I believe it! there was a hilarious article in the new Yorker about how irritating leaf blowers are and how people in our area can't even sit outside in the weekend for all the noise. Our gardener says our mow and blow guys are actually drying out the ground because everything is so tidy and cleaned away the soil is not enriched.
AM BACK with Heather & Jennifer's link up!!!!!!!!
This was a delicious POST!Are you back from the BIG APPLE!!!!?
Beautiful pictures! I only have a small garden right now, but you are absolutely right!