One of my favorite times of year is when I can add art to the garden. It has to wait until the garden is fully planted, then I begin to clean out the garden shed. Using the method I learned from Marie Kondo’s method, I pull everything out before replacing each object carefully back inside. but first, I start placing my favorite objects around the garden. The cement toad moves to the stone steps; a weathered bunny family stands sentry to the kitchen garden; and the comfy old garden bench fits snuggly at the end of the garden path.
Others may be inspired by the serene pose of a bronzed sculpture or calmed by a bubbling fountain, yet I prefer found objects, such as the branches from downed trees to steer the runner beans up beside my garden shed, or sentimental artifacts handed down from my grandmother. Like decorating my home, the art of placement is key, and often favorite pieces are moved several times, and adjusted as the green foliage begin to expand and cover.
It’s also a great time of year to visit tag sales and antique stores, in search of old garden tools, iron gates or discarded pottery. Riding my bike through town yesterday, the local resale store had a dozen stone urns for sale clearly the remains of once grand estate – now gone. It’s a little sad to think about the breaking up of old gardens, in order to make new ones. But honestly, isn’t that the nature of gardening? Always recreating itself with each new season.
