Let's Get This Party Started!

It's time to get this garden party started and while my break feels very short, I'm ready.  I tried to lay low in January but by early February, my slow but steady ascent back into the world of gardening was already in full swing.  I'm feeling extremely encouraged to keep going and good vibes are constantly coming my way.

Here's the rundown on the start of this year's journey.  In January, Toni (mom to the dimpled darling, blogger, natural hair enthusiast and most importantly one of my besties) informed me that she wanted my help in getting her spring garden started and that she would be anxiously awaiting the last frost.  Then while attending Toni and her husband's anniversary dinner, April (among many things, an amazing mom and doula which I think is the coolest job ever) approached me about helping her get a garden started at her house this year.  Fast forward to Valentine's Day lunch with my aunt and she expressed total excitement about planting salad veggies in the little garden box we installed in her backyard last summer.  As if all of this wasn't good enough,  Cevere (entertainment exec, newlywed, keeper of the absolute best laugh I've ever heard and my hanging partner from "the good ole days" - you know, those young days before bills, husbands, real jobs, etc) sent me a note that she was both inspired by me and encouraged by her husband to start a garden this year.  Just a few days ago my cousin Badria (herbalist on the path to being a holistic healer) came by to see the seeds I started recently which led into the best conversation about gardening and some of our other favorite topics.  To top it all off, I received two of the sweetest and most encouraging notes from Millie (inspired gardener in 2012, organizer deluxe and my little sister in spirit).  How could I not be excited about a new year in the garden?!

Feeling a responsibility to continue learning so that I can share with all of these motivated gardeners, I have decided to participate in two Richmond area short-term agriculture learning opportunities. The first is the Urban Agriculture :Learning Series being offered for free through Richmond Grows Gardens which will include everything from gardening 101 to Canning and Beekeeping.  The second is the new Organic Gardening Certification course at University of Richmond.  I've also set my eyes on the City of Richmond's Master Gardener's program but there will be no update on that until late September.

To get inspired, I ventured out to Shalom Farm for a tour led by Steve (farm manager) and Dominic (director) where I was delighted to meet Tisah & Marva, a couple in the planning phase of starting their own farm and Badia, coordinator of a future garden and learning center here in Richmond.   We had a wonderful tour which included a visit to the chicken coop and a look inside the green house.  Pictures and more on this experience are still to come.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the lovely hints of Spring that I've already noticed such as the subtle emergence of my daffodils, buds on the Dogwood tree and chirping birds outside my window. These things have caused me so much joy and are steadily lifting me out of my winter blues. I look forward to the sun rising early and feeling it's warmth beating down on me, giving me reason to don a nice wide brimmed hat. I long for early mornings in the garden when all is quiet and calm. I want to walk outside barefoot and feel the dew between my toes. I want to be sweaty from a hard day's labor and smell like earthy, rich compost.  A few weeks ago, I was tired and praying for a break but the garden just keeps calling me back.  I need to be caught up in the magic that only a gardener can understand.

 Let's get this party started! Let's get this party started right.... NOW!