When I was first gardening in my early twenties, I read some garden books that shaped my experience. The author that most fascinated me and influenced was probably Helen Van Pelt Wilson.
I read most all her books on the subject of gardening, and one of them dealt with the reduced scope of gardening as one ages.
I am beginning to realize that I will soon enter that stage. Perhaps that is why I procrastinate such jobs as the pruning of my trees. A lifetime of the three score years and ten is not enough for a garden. A garden speaks in the Entish tongue, and we speak in the language of our flowers of the field existance. We briefly till the earth, until we become a part of it.
I am beginning to turn my mind towards reducing the workload. More groundcover and less weeding, more shrubs and less perennials that need attention. It is a subtle change, but a decided one.
Like a woman herself, the beauty is less lush, but more dignified. There are many ways to grow old gracefully. None of which include giving up anything important, but of changing the emphasis.
If you come across one of Helen Van Pelt Wilson’s old books, I recommend you read them. Good advice is timeless.
