For the past month, I have been taking part in an artist residency in a town about three to four hours away from home by public transport. I came back home from time to time, and whenever I only needed a little something to eat, the vegetables and fruit growing in my garden and on my balcony were incredibly useful. Tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, beets, chard, green onions, herbs, berries, apples, and more.
It somehow reminded me of my mother, who prepared seasonal food ready and waiting for me. That made me realize: this is the kind of garden I want — a garden like my mother, quietly waiting for me with something to eat when I come home.
In the past few years, I have mostly stayed close to home except for some days of travel during summer because I worried about leaving the plants alone for too long. But this year, with help from my family and friends, it looks like we are managing quite well. It has given me more confidence that in the future I can leave home for a couple of weeks or longer in summer.
And one more thing: when I went to check on the garden last weekend, the corn looked like it might actually produce something!
After successfully growing beets for the first time this year, maybe corn will be another first harvest for me. I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
Happy gardening!
どんな庭を目指したいか、言葉にできた気がします。「お母さんみたいな庭」！今年の夏、庭とバルコニーから長く離れて思ったことを日本語部分はnoteに書きました。よかったら覗いてみてください😊
