Weathering the Ups-and-Downs of This Erratic Spring

Happy June, everyone!

This month features the summer solstice, and has arrived on the heels of constant weather ups and downs, not to mention a rollercoaster of daily news cycle and upheaval.

Spring has been erratic and unsettling. Every other week, the temp goes from 90º to 40ºs and back again. Just this past Saturday, the temperature fell back into the mid-40s, and the high winds caused power outages across our town. I actually made some chicken soup after we got the power back. I needed something to warm me up.

It’s not a surprise, then, that the garden has been facing some challenges, beginning with a late frost in Mid-April, which killed the daffodils and the magnolia flowers within a week after they began to bloom.

What I didn’t realize was that the hydrangeas had been affected, too. I’ve been waiting and watching them, and not much is happening. The other day, I came across a post on Instagram in which a gardener explained that the hydrangeas may not bloom this year because of the late frost.

In addition, we had exterior work on the house: power washing and painting. Although precautions were taken to protect the emerging perennials from the chemicals used in powerwashing, some were hurt in the process. The Sweet Woodruff is gone for now, as well as some of the Astilbes. The Clematis, Evening Primrose, and the Lady’s Mantle had their foliage affected, but are already recovering.

Finally, the family of groundhogs is back, going through the garden and having a feast. This time around, they discovered the pots of annuals on the deck and helped themselves to the Petunias, Alyssum, and the Dahlias, but apparently, they are not fond of the Verbena.

What Now?

You know me well enough to suspect where I am headed with this. My garden has always been a wise old friend to me. It meets me where I am each season and points the way forward. It provides the metaphors I need to translate life’s stages for myself and then share my insights with you all.

There is nothing I can do about the groundhogs. We’ve been coexisting for a while, and we’ll get through this. For now, I have moved the pots with the annuals to higher ground. The young ones will soon leave the nest and the garden, or so I hope.

I have enough Sweet Woodruff and Astilbe to transplant where the damage was done. It will take a couple of seasons for the Sweet Woodruff to spread, but nothing more to do but wait.

The hydrangeas need immediate care. I did some research, and it appears that although many gardeners agree that the frost has affected the hydrangeas this year, they don’t seem to agree as to how to proceed. Some say cut back the old growth, and others advise waiting and seeing.

That tracks, of course. As in everything in life, there is no such thing as “one-size-fits-all.”

It’s up to me now to figure out what each of my hydrangeas needs for the season. I did a quick walk-through and, from what I can see, some of them need to be cut back, while a couple of others are showing hopeful signs. And then, there is Annabelle, my resilient warrior, whom I can always depend on to perform. Unless, of course, we get a hail storm. 😬

Looking at the big picture … the needs of the garden along with the needs of my life, such as home, family, my practice, unforeseen challenges, volunteer work, relationships, and, of course, my mental and physical well-being, I can see what has always been there. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.

There is always something that goes off rhythm and demands the lion’s share of our energy. Balance is really never about equal distribution of energy and attention. It’s mostly about priorities, acceptance, and creative problem-solving. Every season demands something different. We do the best we can and try to make peace with the rest.

As I read through what I’ve written so far, the following words float to the surface:

What about you?

• What are you noticing these days?
• How is the season affecting you?
• What is tagging on you and maybe pulling you away from where you want to be?
• What words float to the surface for you?

Never underestimate the little things that make a difference. Take a moment to breathe and ground yourself, then drop these questions inside and wait. Be patient, stay open, and pay attention. You may be surprised at what happens next.

I hope this season is kind to you and inspires you to make the changes you deeply desire.

As always, thank you for being here and reading along.

Yota