The Call

The phone call from my longtime friend Steph came out of the blue. Or maybe it's more accurate to say the compost pile. Although her news of a gardening opportunity was unexpected, it was something I had been turning over in my dreams for a long time.

The raised beds are in a community pea patch that has been under cultivation for 100 years. Owned and gardened by many different people over its long history, the land is now under the stewardship of Hyla Middle School, a private academic institution on the south end of Bainbridge Island.

In yet another passing of the garden fork, I was being offered five beds, each one approximately 12 feet long (plenty for a newbie vegetable gardener!). The area had not been actively tended in the prior growing season, and aside from the weeds, grass, and overgrown plants, the beds had been inundated with sand due to a barn moving. Getting them back into shape and ready for planting seemed a bit overwhelming.

It was agreed I would think on it, dream on it, turn my internal compost pile over, and make my decision in a few days. I decided to ask my friend Chuck, a permaculturist, to meet me at the garden and give me some advice. He talked about mulching and amending soil and was very encouraging. He dug up dahlias and three variates of sage and off he went.

Still, I wasn't sure if I was ready to take on such a big commitment. But there I was on a beautiful Spring day, shovel in hand, just taking in the beauty of the full garden. And without much thought, I started digging deep. I turned soil and pulled weeds. I noticed where the sand pooled and crumbled caked dirt in my hands. My mind was relaxed and my muscles were sore. And after three hours passed, there was no longer any doubt; I had fallen in love.