The Giving Garden; The story of Lillian

There is a house that has a little garden in the front yard. In the garden there is a sign that simply says “The Giving Garden”. Anyone who walks or drives by can help themselves to what they need or would like from it. The owner simply wants to share with the her community. We want to share her stories with you….

July 21, 2011

On Tuesday I went out at 6:30am to water the giving garden and some other areas in the yard. I wasn’t paying attention to the driveway. Lots of people use it as a “turn around”. I was concentrating on the plants and the effects of the weather, bugs, weeds, growth patterns and everything else in the garden. At some point I turned around to find a woman standing, ready to talk to me. Her silver Volkswagen was parked in my driveway.

” What did I do now?” was the first thought though my brain.

She introduced herself and told me how one day she happened to be walking down the street and came upon my garden. We talked and exchanged garden ideas. I shared any dill I had with her. I always encourage everyone to try my edible flowers. Of course, most people are skeptical. We talked a bit more, then she left and I went back to my work. She, like the rest of us, is learning how to grow and cultivate in this world as much as any garden.

The next day she came to my door and gave me this card. I’ll be looking forward to seeing her again. 🙂

I have a great many blooms on the lemon cucumbers, and I am very anxious to try them.

~ The Gardener

P.S.

The card simple said ” It was so nice to meet you. Thank you so much for the “fresh” and “dried” dill you gave to me from your “cute” sidewalk garden. May you have a great day and good week. ~L”

the giving garden

Image this…You’re walking down the street and you come to a house with a veggie and edible flower garden in the front yard. In this garden there is a sign that says, ” The Giving Garden, take what you would like! “.  What would you do? Would you take something or just keep walking? We’ll if you have ever come across this, then there is a pretty good chance that you were at my mothers house.

A few years ago my mother changed the look of her driveway. In the past there was two pine trees at the end of her driveway. Due to the size of the trees it was difficult seeing the road. So she did something bold. She cut back the trees and put in a small garden at the base. This garden is both vegetables and flowers, but open to anyone who is passing by. What I mean by open, you may take what you like. This garden is made of left overs from her main garden, but for some time now she has been blessed with more veggies and flowers then she can use. So she is sharing with others. That’s how my mother rolls.

She has had different themes in this garden also. Bowling teddy bears, old toys and I remember hearing something about a kids bike. Everything she puts out there is just leftover stuff through the years. What do you do with your old junk? What would you do with your extras? You know, the stuff you collect through the years, but never use? Does it collect dust in some corner, or can you think of something else to do with it?? Eventually she changes the themes. Nature does, after all, takes it’s toll on all things. And I’m sure it being the “giving garden” things go missing. Like they are suppose too 🙂

I asked my mother to write something about her garden and send it to me. She doesn’t have a computer or internet. She sends thing by pony express. So it will be a while before I get it. Can’t wait. 🙂 Until then, I’ll have to relay her stories. Look for new stories in the title.

Side note: Both images are of the Siberian Iris (Iris Sibirca) that my mother has given me from her garden. I’m not sure of the type of Siberian Iris. There are many different types and colors. The main reason I like them is not for their stunning beauty, but for their ability to keep erosion from happening in my yard. I live at the bottom of a hill and the wash from heavy rains can be quite devastating. This type of iris has a thick root system that helps against erosion. Look them up if you need something like this.