I thought at first my instructional garden signs ("out", "move", "rehab") were not reminders, but motivation. Too sunny a location for that Fuchsia. Out:
While deadheading one morning came the
realization that gardening is extremely enjoyable when done "in the moment", in what psychologists term "a flow state", and that the signs when, read
in a flow state, smoothly promote its continuance.
A flow state, in psychology, also known colloquially as being in the zone, is the mental state
in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a
feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the
process of the activity.
In the zone. Like a Hummingbird at the Cupheas. Got it.
Hot weather this week. Not much gardening until it eases.Heat:
After 9am each morning, taking refuge in the house. Before 9 am, spot watering and enjoying the small successes of more effort put into summer annuals. The Zinnias, Vincas, and Cosmos seem unaffected. Seeing the garden look a little better this summer is heartening. The Zinnias in particular are unfazed by the heat:
Better this year.
It helps the mental health. Are you holding up this summer? Does your garden help? I hope so!
The garden is the only thing what has kept me sane since 2016. (That and friends.) Temps are better this week but dewpoint has made working more sticky than I prefer. Last tour of the summer today, so tormorrow I am ripping out and dealing with everything that isn't working.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed: the garden and friends, including the four-legged kind!
DeleteEnjoy the tour, and tomorrow.
Both are garden and I are stalwartly waiting out the long hot, dry stretch of near misery that is summer. I'm trying to ignore the masses of Aeoniums curled up in the tight balls that mark their dormant period and struggling not to overreact to flowering plants that have shut down for the time being. I too am doing little more than spot-watering, with some very basic cleanup here and there when I can't help myself.
ReplyDeleteI go out for a few minutes but then scurry back inside. I'm worried most about the young trees. The small stuff can be replaced, The Oak, Callistemons, and the several Metrosideros are fine. Aeoniums always come back--always too lavishly.
DeleteTake care and stay cool. The nights always start to feel cooler the last week of August--so looking forward to that!.
The garden is my respite. Love that shot of the Hummingbird. They're too fast for me.
ReplyDeleteToo fast for me as well Just happened to be holding the camera when the bird started feeding from the Cuphea.
DeleteHi Hoover, Pretty much the same down here in San Diego (La Mesa)- morning spot watering, keeping an eye on things, minor cleanup and keeping the bird baths filled. Humidity before 9am has been around 83% all week. The info about flow is great, I think the garden is the only place I can really lose myself- in the zone. I love your little reminder signs, what a great idea. After a few years off due to illness I revived the garden in May and am enjoying how things have already filled in. Added lots of containers and rediscovered my love of scented geraniums. I'm also addicted to terracotta pots now. I added a place to sit under one of our olive trees, in the shade, planning and birdwatching while the dog sunbathes. First thing I ever grew- zinnias from seed, at age 6, with mom's help, love seeing yours in bloom. So glad I discovered your blog, it's been a real inspiration!
ReplyDelete83%--yikes! That's sticky. Glad you are able to get back to gardening! It is a wonderful activity for so many reasons.
DeleteI also remember growing a Zinnia from seed-it may have been a 1st grade project, that and a Lima bean. I did a little better this year.
Happy you found something of interest in my blog, thank you for your kind comment!
I always have working list for the garden (crossing stuff off feels good) but I always let the zone take me away for at least part of the day. My most zone inducing activity is sitting on the ground either to clean up herbaceous stuff or pulling weeds. Being at plant level is very immersive !
ReplyDeleteYou organized people--sigh! When they were handing out the organization skills I was at the very end of the line. Hence, signs.
DeletePlant level is indeed great and meditative. I use a little bench because of bad knee. Otherwise I'd be stuck on the ground. 🤦♀️
Such a beautiful garden! I love those colours :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Nikki. Brightly colored flowers cheer me up every time.
DeleteYah, gardening puts me "in the zone". At the end of the day, I may not be able to list my accomplishments: they often benefit me as much - or more - than the garden.
ReplyDeletechavli
We care for our plants, and they give back to us in their own ways. Win-win!
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