Slow..

Gardening thought for the day (sub in the word week, season, year, as required). Being thorough means being slow. Nit-picking slow. Not that slow isn't pleasant. Slow, particularly in spring, is inspiring. Snow as a snail? Maybe not. Slow as an earthworm - much better!

Slow has its advantages...

Being thorough has definite advantages. It's yet another excuse not to finish anything - always seeing something else to do. Wandering past the Camellias on the way to the bonfire, stopping to retrieve the camera left hanging on a random oak tree branch, retracing steps, noticing some fancy fluffy daffodils, pointing and clicking - thoroughly beautiful. I love a slow spring.

So am I successful at being thorough? Not sure I'm well-organised enough. Being thorough makes for a very stop-start day. Stooping to pick up abandoned plastic pots, then wandering off in a totally different direction to find my puffy bottle of weed killer (for sorrel and oxalis, you understand) and my new toy, a daisy grubber (for the dandelions)... Remembering the seeds in the glass-house need watering, while the bonfire needs a new load of dry rubbish, and the pansies need popping into patio pots...

Tell you what, though. I am 'thoroughly' enjoying spring in my garden this year. And I've had another thought. If I'm being slow, then that's a good thing. I'll have much more time to enjoy the spring sights and smells. I think that's how it works.