Developing a Green Thumb
Submitted by Joan Regan
This past long weekend we had a great visit from the girls that used to live next door to us in Hamilton. They grew up with our kids on a small crescent and went to school just a few doors away. Great memories and lots of laughs.
It made me think of the tiny back yard we had in Hamilton – no trees and so hot and clay soil. Not a gardener’s paradise for sure. So the kids planted five trees and we had shade in a couple of years, just from the single seeds – “Whirly birds” the kids called them. But the soil was just clay, and back in the early seventies, we couldn’t get a truckload of good soil delivered, and only the pros used mulch way back then. So, no gardens… well none too successful.
Back then all I knew about gardening was “green side up”, so out the front I went. Against the house was shade and there was some better soil leftover from when the lawn was put in. My Dad, who loved to garden, helped us (Dad had several Trillium awards for their gardens). Some Yews, red Barberry and pretty red Geraniums come Summer. It was then I noticed my right thumb looked a bit strange – it had a funny green tinge to it… hmmm. Weird.
I was happy with my front garden and tolerated the back one. All was good, that is till on holidays in Tobermory I road my bike past this little cabin almost hidden in the trees. I stopped to take a look and that’s all it took. Four years later our home in Hamilton was sold and we were on our way to Tobermory.
More to follow.
jpregan@amtelecom.net 519 596 2389
