I’m in Training

I know the Boston Marathon is coming up in a few weeks but that’s not the kind of training I am talking about. In fact, the last time I ran I think I was chasing the ice cream truck! I have a special kind of training because I am an Industrial Athlete. If you are unfamiliar with the term I can explain. The term industrial athlete refers to anyone who makes a living using mental and physical talents to perform jobs that require skill, strength, flexibility, coordination and endurance—just like an athlete. In the gardening business I would pretty much guess that defines all of us. It could also refer to those who garden regularly. I would propose that, like an athlete training for an event, we would be more successful if we “trained” so to speak. If we do, the approaching spring days, with their hours of weeding, mulching, pushing wheelbarrows won’t kick our butts.

Got Worms?

I have always loved earthworms.

 

Whenever I would find them in my garden I would silently thank them for aerating my soil. I knew their castings were creating a nutrient-rich environment for my plants. 

 

When my kids were little rainy day walks took extra-long because we were constantly rescuing worms from puddles. I never liked fishing because I felt it was a waste of such a great resource (and I didn’t really like baiting the hook!)