All spring I’ve been eying a clump of mature perennials (read: needs dividing) that has been situated in the newly expanded vegetable garden. I’ve been meaning to move them into the new perennial border. I’ve sat on the deck, pondering where to put them. Gearing up, so to speak, to move those suckers. “I’ll get around to it,” I told myself. First I wanted to wait until the columbine was finished blooming, because it really is spectacular, and I didn’t want to cut that bloom time short. Then my allergies became the prominent excuse. I think this out-of-place clump of perennials is why I’ve been straggling to get my peppers and eggplants actually planted. Those perennials were standing in the way of my vegetable garden vision. Not that having flowers in a vegetable garden is by any means “wrong”…in fact, I have marigolds edging the tomatoes and a big clump of ajuga sits at one end of the vegetable patch. Nasturtiums and scented marigolds will likely feature as well. And I’m not moving that poppy that has unexpectedly laid claim to another corner. I just knew I didn’t want that clump there anymore.
Finally, this morning, the urge struck me, as I knew all along it would, and I got them moved. The day lilies put up a valiant struggle, but in the end, the Gardener Prevailed. Even now, as I type this, sweat rolls down my back, there’s grit in my teeth (patooey) and a fine coat of dust covers my arms. But I’m happy, proud, victorious as I stand and admire my handy work. The border is filling in. Now I can properly envision and plant out the rest of the vegetables.
Back out I go. (Hi ho, hi ho.)
