The Art of Gardening

“If an herb looks nice in a border, then why not grow it there? Why not grow anything anywhere, so long as it looks right where it is? That is, surely, the art of gardening.” Vita Sackville-West

If you have ever had the delight of visiting Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, you will have experienced one of the most romantic and influential gardens of England. Novelist and poet Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat, politician, and author husband, Sir Harold George Nicolson, designed a succession of privacies, or garden rooms, where they spent as much time outdoors as indoors. They were intellectuals, yet they were not horticultural snobs. Vita was fascinated by plant novelties and adored her roses. Their art of gardening embodied a sense of sustainable wildness that could positively influence our gardening goals.

May is a month of magical majesty in the garden. After the April rains, our gardens are irrigated, making it easier to pull weeds as we clean our beds. Temperatures are rising, the soil is warm, and this is the ideal time to sow seeds for summer harvests. So much is blooming…roses, clematis, poppies, passionflowers, azaleas, rhododendrons, bearded iris, lavender, cornflags, Jupiter’s beard, geraniums, Birds of Paradise, and many more brighten our lives. My tomato plants are in the ground, and before the last rain, I sowed seeds of vegetables my family loves to eat–beets, beans, peas, radishes, and turnips. My artichoke plant currently has a few artichokes forming. Like Vita, I have parsley, sage, cilantro, and thyme planted amongst my flowers. They do look terrific together. I haven’t decided yet whether I will plant corn this season, as my past corn crops haven’t been as successful as I’d hoped. It is important to conserve water, and corn is thirsty. 

During May, I like to experiment with new plantings. Terra Nova Nurseries debuted new drought-tolerant Agastache “Peach Pearl” and “Prince’s Plume,” which I added to my sunny spots to attract hummingbirds and bumblebees. Starting in June, the plants will be crowned with stately shades of peach and violet until frost.  

Heucherella “Pink Stardust” is another new addition to my trial garden. The minty green, silvery leaves are pretty, and it will soon bear unusual star-shaped flowers on sturdy stems. (With my company, StarStyle®, I must confess I am drawn to everything “stars” related!) 

I’ve also added a river rock canal to my garden. Not only is it functional, directing rain run-off to my plants, but it is abundantly attractive. My roses are truly the stars of my landscape. The majority are David Austin English roses that are disease–resistant, fragrant, and multi-bloomers. Every two or three days, I spend a considerable amount of time meditating as I walk around deadheading spent blooms. Within a week or so, I’m rewarded with more blooms. Roses are versatile, and contrary to what many people think, easy to grow and maintain. The thorns are irritating, making it mandatory to wear heavy gloves when working with them. 

What I love about gardening is that, beyond the weeding, planting, and pruning, my garden is always changing, evolving, and collaborating with nature. My garden is a living canvas of colors, textures, scents, and wildness. As I care for the earth, support biodiversity, and steward the planet, my garden cares for me, feeds me, heals me, and inspires me. With all its imperfections, weeds, and rough edges, I will grow anything anywhere so long as it looks good. So should you!

Surely, this is the art of gardening!

Cynthia Brian’s Goddess Garden Guide for May

PULL weeds while the soil is moist for easier weeding. Continue to monitor your garden for new weeds sprouting.

SOW seeds of beans, zucchini, cilantro, carrots, beets, or other vegetables you enjoy for a summer crop.

TRANSPLANT seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants to the garden or containers.

SCATTER flower seeds of sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds.

CLEAR debris, including dried limbs and flammable materials, from the perimeter of your home and garden.

CUT annual grasses and tall weeds to three inches or less before June 1 as part of the wildfire hazard abatement requirements.

FEED backyard birds with a variety of high-quality seeds. You’ll enjoy flighty performances from finches, jays, sparrows, and more.

WATCH for aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillars. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap before infestations spread.

UPGRADE your soil with organic matter and mulch.

INTRODUCE your children and grandchildren to the joys of gardening by letting them pick flowers and food they love to plant.

HANG baskets of petunias, calibrachoa, or begonias to brighten your patio or porch.

DEADHEAD roses and any perennials to encourage additional blooming.

PRUNE boxwoods. Cut back any winter burn or dead branches. 

ADD flowers of nasturtium, roses, and violets to your dinner plate. They are edible and nutritious if they have not been sprayed with pesticides.

REGROW scallions by sticking the root ends in water after snipping. You’ll get a fresh crop very quickly.

RELEASE ladybugs into your garden if you spot aphids. Ladybugs (also called lady beetles) only stay in a garden when there is sufficient food. If yours fly away, don’t be dismayed.  Pat yourself on the back as your garden is healthier than a neighboring landscape.

PROTECT yourself from ticks by applying DEET when you are gardening or outdoors. Research indicates that the majority of tick exposure occurs during everyday activities, including working in our gardens and enjoying our barbecues. 

TUCK edibles into your flowerbeds. Parsley and garlic chives look especially handsome as a border. Vita Sackville-West would approve.

RECEIVE a FREE home walk-through, 1.5 hours of handyman time, plus a $50 VISA gift card for meeting with my favorite handyman service to chat about your to-dos. Here's my link (first come, first served): https://honeyh.me/eXEn/trial I only have SIX of these FREEBIES available through the end of May. Act quickly if interested. https://honeyh.me/eXEn/trial

SPOIL Mom on Mother’s Day with her favorite plant (perhaps a rosebush) and a book about gardening.

Happy Gardening! Happy Growing! 

For more seasonal gardening tips and inspiration, grab a copy of Growing with the Goddess Gardener at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/books. Raised in Napa County vineyards, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach, as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3.. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at https://www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her best-selling children’s series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, is available at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store. 

 Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com  https://www.CynthiaBrian.com

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