Bucket garden epiphany in the gradual garden

Dream home dilemma solved!

 I've written about the benefits of bucket gardening many times. They're easy to move around, they use less soil, water and fertilizer, etc. etc. If you'd like to know more on that score, follow that link up there. Because that's not why I'm writing this today. I'm writing it to share my bucket garden epiphany with you.

Gary and I have been thinking that we're not so enamored with the city anymore. Now, it could be years before we get to live our dream life. We have a lot of people depending on us here. We can't just kick them to the curb to head up to that mountain cabin we've been dreaming of. And also, there's the garden. Sigh..... So much loving work has gone into it over the last 6 years. How can I possibly leave it behind?

To be honest, it really tugs at my heart strings. But you know, the other day, I was thinking to myself that at least my buckets are portable. So, if we did decide to take the cabin plunge, even in the middle of gardening season, they could go with us, soil, plants and all. Plus, I have a lot of other outdoor container plants that could join them for the ride. Heck, I even stored the excess awesome soil we just purchased in buckets too, though I didn't do it for that reason.

So that's the main part of the epiphany. Here's the rest. If I were to gradually transition the rest of my garden into buckets and containers, I could take 85% of it with me. Is that awesome or what? Oh, I'd be sure to leave a few things for the new homeowners out of convenience and consideration. For instance, I'm not digging up my roses or anything that's firmly rooted. I might bring some cuttings with me, though.

And hey, epiphany part 3, from now on, when I add things to the flower, herb or veggie gardens, I'll be sure to make them portable. And the raised beds I do have? Well, I can slowly shovel that soil into buckets as well. I'll just set the buckets inside the beds. It won't look silly because I already have a few raised bed frames filled with buckets anyway.

Of course, if we were to move, I would still miss a lot of other things about our first real home together. But now, I at least don't have to miss our garden.

Honestly, you guys should really give this bucket garden thing a whirl. It's so low maintenance for so many reasons. But perhaps the best one is portability. We gardeners are so attached to our little gardening worlds, aren't we? And now that we know we can take them with us just about anywhere we go, the sky's the limit!

Happily sweating it out in the gradual garden

It's hard work but it's worth it!

 I may have a gradual garden, but it's hard work, you guys. Plus, I have to limit my sun exposure, so when I do get out there, I have to go all out, in order to get everything done in a timely manner. But you know what? It's all good. Really it is. Because I reap the benefits daily.

For one thing, staying active keeps me healthier. It keeps the Lupus at bay. I'm saddened when I see so many with chronic illness who don't realize that by bowing to their illnesses (by taking it easy) they're actually making things worse. And yes. There are times when I have no choice but to put my feet up. Absolutely. And I understand that there are those who simply cannot move. But for now, I'm glad that I can sweat it out. It's so good for me!

And here's something else about sweating it out. It's a fat melt-er. It's a serious contributor to all the weight I've been able to shed in the last few years. Yes, my journey toward vegan-ism helps. Still, when that sweat rolls down my face, I smile, thinking of all the pounds disappearing like magic.

Know what else goes out with the sweat? Toxins. And certainly, people who exercise regularly seem healthier for a multitudes of reasons. But one of the surprisingly biggest reasons they appear healthier is because they're constantly shedding toxins. Oh ya. Lots of them. And heaven knows, in this world, we could all use a few less toxins.

Anyway, so yes, I'm sweating it out in the garden, even though I'm content with gradual progress. And hey, it's OK. I'm still getting things done in just a few hours a day. In fact, today, I ran to the garden store for supplies, did some supplemental planting, moved a couple things, trimmed some shrubbery and more, all in the space of a few hours to beat the sun.

PS - Ha ha ha You guys, every time I say shrubbery, I think, “Get me a shrubbery.” Monty Python. LOL Gotta love it!