Monday, July 5, 2010

Gratitude Monday--Ambitious Sprouts Edition

Several potatoes are growing wild in my garden. At least a dozen plants have popped up and are smiling at me.
It's good to see them. I have a limited amount of room in my garden so it is devoted to salad spices and a few other things including a few carrots and peas.
The spuds are a bonus and I am grateful for them.
What happened is we compost. Each year the compost is dug into my garden and thus random veggies struggle up each year and I commonly leave them be.
We had potatoes from my FIL this year and as they sat awaiting their fate they do as potatoes do, they sprouted. It is those ambitious little sprouts that got their start in a box in a darkened corner of my kitchen that are now waving their leaves in the breeze and helping themselves to the nutrient-rich soil bed.
I weeded them today, assuring them they have as much right to be there as anything deliberately planted. As I did I realized life finds its own level. It will start where it can, when it can, and what it can, and it will survive as best it can.
What more can we ask?

12 comments:

David Cranmer said...

Our compost has been found by the critters and if we bury anything it gets immediately uncovered that night. Guess,it's time to move it.

David Barber said...

I grew some potatoes and carrotts last year. My first attempt and we got a couple of meals worth. Only thing I've got this year are tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. Work has took precedent this year. Next year though. :-)

carla said...

and THIS is why you are a writer:

assuring them they have as much right to be there as anything deliberately planted.

love.love.

Tabor said...

Our compost needs water. We are in pre-drought and temps this week, all week, are pushing the high 90s C! We also get volunteer tomatoes and volunteer squash.

Leah J. Utas said...

David C., I hear you. We expect skunks and have been blessed by them from time to time. Moving may help.

David B., congratulations on your produce. Good luck with the your efforts this year.

Carla, thank you so much for your support and your compliment as to my writing.

Tabor, water helps composting. I've added some from time to time. We had volunteer tomatoes one year that did as well or better than the ones we had in the cold frame.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Life finds its own level, indeed. So many lessons to be learned from a humble garden!

messymimi said...

I am always amazed at how something will try to grow in even the most inhospitable places, and flourish in the hospitable places even and especially when your back is turned.

I'm glad you will have potatoes this year.

the Bag Lady said...

True, cousin - life will find its own level. As with the abandoned calf here - he was determined to survive, even though his mother didn't want him. I've been assuring him that he has the right to be here!

Leah J. Utas said...

Yes, Bunnygirl. There really are.

Messymimi, it amazes me to. Anywhere a seed can latch a shoot comes up.

Bag Lady, so glad to hear about the calf. Life is determined to continue. And good for you for the assurance. I bet he appreciates hearing it.

Writing Without Periods! said...

Even in the desert I'm amazed at how life wins the struggle. It's a good lesson for all of us.
Mary

Reb said...

Mmm, home grown potatoes! What more can we ask indeed!

Leah J. Utas said...

Mary, it always amazes me that something will grow wherever it finds a spot.

Reb, I can hardly wait.