I rent a decent amount of land in Kelowna. I have to admit that being both a want-to-be homesteader and a renter can be a hard sword to swallow. It has been said that to plant a garden is to hope for tomorrow. My hope is that I can stay in one place long enough to actually enjoy the fruits of my hopeful labours.
Tomorrow I plan to plant two blueberry bushes in my garden area. Currently that place is part of the grass covered yard. It needs to be cleared of the various kind of grass and weeds that are currently growing there. I do not mind the hard work and time put into breaking ground (OK mainly my husband's hard work), what I do have trouble with is establishing plants in soil that I have no idea how long I will have access to. Gardening is sometimes the kind of work you do for pleasure, you can become emotionally attached to your plants, and creating the perfect soil conditions to suit your needs are difficult things to leave behind. At my prior home (also rented) we had very nice raised bed gardens that we put sweat equity into, established perennials, and a nice little community to help with watering or bounty sharing. Moving to this land and going into Spring makes me feel a little sorry for all the little gardens I have planted and yards I have started but never had the opportunity for long term cultivation. I keep trading up housing wise, but garden wise I am seem to be starting anew every time.
Looking at my two beautiful blueberry plants currently growing in pots I think how much I would love to see them year after year in the same place. How they would grow and change, how I would learn to prune them, fertilize them, mulch them, and let them settle in. I bought them with a friend on a special outing. When I look at them I am reminded of the best day I had in all of 2013.
With a heavy and hopeful heart I am committing them to the soil. Trying to just enjoy the moment of planting them. I am both releasing them and hoping for a long and bountiful future together.
Do you rent and plan a garden? How long have you rented and how do you make peace with your limitations?
