There is something to be said for having the privilege to be caretaker for your own little piece of land. Putting time into something where the only benefit is getting to enjoy a job well done, and getting to appreciate the results so directly is something I have grown to appreciate over the years.
The earth that your little plot of land is comprised of follows it own set of rules. You quickly learn where the larger rocks and exposed roots are. And where the lawn is wettest latest, and where it is driest first. You learn the contours and quirks of the terrain that you need to work around which are often not visible to a passing eye. Before long, with even a little care, this is now your land--it is not the paying of the taxes alone that creates that designation; it is the taming and the care taking.
And there are many natural laws to contend with in this pursuit.
-Unmowed grass gets too tall and thins out (less stalks per square inch).
-If you mow it shorter (not too short!) it gets thicker and fuller--but it drinks more so you need to ensure it
has enough water to keep up (naturally or from you).
-Dry grass turns yellow, almost like nature's warning sign 'I'm dying; please help!'..this rings true for people as well--if any of your friends turn really pale yellow and seem to be drying out, you should at least get them some water.
-When it rains, water pools in the same places, and drains to the same places.
-If you pull the root of a weed out, it is gone.
-If you pull them all out by the root you will have no recurring weeds!
-Certain flowers like more Sun, others like to grow under those types of things.
I am not a horticulturist but these are the kinds of things running through my mind on Saturday mornings ( or Friday evenings if rain is expected) from late Spring until football intervenes in the Fall. And I am glad that they run through my mind on a regular basis. It is good to have a little 'nature time'. It feels good to have something other than work or family or anything human to have to answer to for a little while--something that has its carrot/stick system--literally; this is the actual domain of both carrots and sticks.
Image via WikipediaNo knock on softball intended here, because I'm sure there is something to be said for joining a softball league, buying a uniform and playing a low level of America's pastime with a group of other guys (and maybe some women) one or two nights a week through the Summer--but for me, the years I have spent messing around with my 2.5 acres have helped me find peace without the need for a...bat. And I think my yard may be an important reason why I am able to enjoy my time with people so much--I have a constructive, enjoyable way of breaking away from the connectedness, even if only for a few hours a week.
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