The hopeful gardener (author unknown)
Sow the seeds with hopefulness and lay them in a row.
Cover them and label them for they will surely grow.
Watch the row with hopefulness but wait at least a day.
Actually, the seeds won’t grow until you go away.
Leave the row forgetfully and moan about the rain.
Go and play on sunny days - it’s time to look again.
All the tall plants that you see most probably are weeds.
Those part-eaten spindly things have grown from seeds.
Hoe most conscientiously and lift weeds by the root.
Make space for your little plants so they can really shoot.
They’ll grow to maturity if you get the weather.
Then you’ll have to harvest them - all of them together:
radishes in millions and green beans by the score;
half a ton of lettuces you don’t want any more.
16 responses so far ↓
Glo // April 16, 2008 at 4:56 am
Isn’t that the truth! An enjoyable read with a humorous touch, that says it all!
“Actually, the seeds won’t grow until you go away.”
I have a friend who is a farmer ~ I’ll have to share this poem with her. She has a wonderful vegetable garden, surrounded by dahlias. She seems to get an overabundance of zucchini, and I usually leave with one under my arm, like it or not!
She makes homemade jams and jellies as well. Yum.
Flighty // April 16, 2008 at 7:29 am
Glo it sure is! I thought it appropriate, and timely, as I’ve just started sowing seeds.
If last year is anything to go by then it won’t matter what I end up growing as I’ll be inundated with similar offers by plot neighbours. I get to buy home made jams at the hut. They really taste better don’t they! xx
daffy // April 16, 2008 at 8:08 am
Well that is just simply lovely. I found a couple of others you may like. One of which is here and the other I will (carefully) add the URL for you to look at over a cup of tea perhaps.
Gardener’s Prayer
by Karel Capek
O Lord, grant that in some way
it may rain every day,
Say from about midnight until three o’clock
in the morning,
But, You see, it must be gentle and warm
so that it can soak in;
Grant that at the same time it would not rain on
campion, alyssum, helianthus, lavendar, and others which
You in Your infinite wisdom know
are drought-loving plants-
I will write their names on a bit of paper
if you like-
And grant that the sun may shine
the whole day long,
But not everywhere (not, for instance, on the
gentian, plantain lily, and rhododendron)
and not too much;
That there may be plenty of dew and little wind,
enough worms, no lice and snails, or mildew,
and that once a week thin liquid manure and guano
may fall from heaven.
Amen.
The URL for the other is -:
http://www.poofcat.com/pray18.html
*holds breath and hopes it works*
I’m not surprised there are so many wonderful words out there inspired by the creating of ones own little paradise.
.
I think I will have a hunt in the second hand book shops to see if I can find you a copy of Karel Capeks’ The Gardener’s Year. It is a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of gardener’s. :o)
(1929 that was published…. it occurred to me that you may have a first copy….. :o) teehee)
Flighty // April 16, 2008 at 9:05 am
Daffy thanks! The URL link works fine! I’ve just looked at these poems whilst having a cup of tea and a couple of digestives.
I like them both very much. I agree about there being so many wonderful words out there. I’ve got a few more poems for use here, and I’ve started looking at such books since I’ve been plotting.
That’s being a little bit cheeky, but charming as ever, said *smiling* ! xx
irishpisky // April 16, 2008 at 10:09 am
I remember my first garden produce produced in 1968 on the clay heap which the builders had euphemistically called a garden.
I planted a lot of lettuce and radishes and they did come up in great profusion. And so did the slugs, who took away a number of the lettuces. However we decided to have the radishes with some lettuce for tea one Saturday.
The radishes were rather strong and I was violently sick the next day. Since then I have never had a radish!
VP // April 16, 2008 at 3:13 pm
What a great poem! You need to come over to my place to collect an award on Saturday. Hopefully Google will behave itself and my post dated for then will pop up and all will be revealed!
xx
nikkipolani // April 16, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I can tell it’s written by a real gardener!
I like the poem Daffy’s posted, too - we could all have fabulous gardens if that prayer were answered
mylozmom // April 16, 2008 at 4:39 pm
How cute is that…………thanks for sharing!
polythenepam // April 16, 2008 at 5:31 pm
howdy doody - still getting the hang of the new site - still not really understanding it but hey that’s the way it goes. I can’t help but notice you have some lovely photos. I was thinking of doing a photo montage of plastic Britain. Rather asking others to take some pictures of plastic pollution in their areas and posting them. Watcha fink?
Flighty // April 16, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Irishpisky new houses have always had ‘builders’ gardens haven’t they!
I am growing lettuces so I’ll be vigilant for slugs! I’m not growing any radishes thankfully!
Not surprisingly it’s that sort of reaction that puts people off something for ever more! Cheers.
Flighty // April 16, 2008 at 5:45 pm
VP since I’m a hopeful gardener I thought that it was very apt!
I’ll stop by as soon as I get home from the bookshop to collect my award! I’m excited and intrigued to see what it is. Thanks ! xx
Flighty // April 16, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Nikki I think you’re right and feel that all gardeners have to be hopeful! Either we’re not praying enough or they’re being ignored! xx
Flighty // April 16, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Mylozmom you’re welcome. xx
Flighty // April 16, 2008 at 6:34 pm
PolythenePam hello and welcome! Don’t worry I still have occasional problems here as well.
Thanks, it’s nice to know that you like the photos.
I’ll email you about your idea as although I think it’s a good one I can see some drawbacks.
Take care! xx
Liv // April 16, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Just as a watched kettle doesn’t boil, a watched seed doesn’t sprout.
Flighty, thanks so much for the card! Very sweet of you.
xx
Flighty // April 17, 2008 at 8:26 am
Liv I know but we do it all the same!
You’re most welcome! xx
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