They Sleep, They Creep and They Leap? 🌱🌼
The answer is, "what are the plants doing in my garden."
Hello, friends, travelers, gleaners, and gardeners,
I treasure my childhood memories of growing up and visiting my grandmother’s home in Denver, Colorado. She loved nurturing babies, plants, and animals. She was an avid gardener with plants everywhere—in the garden, the greenhouse, and inside her home in every possible location.
For the past few years, I have been working on my garden here in Oregon, walking in the footsteps of Grandma.
Last summer, my mom, sister, and I visited Grandma Minnie’s home and garden. I was discussing my progress (or lack thereof) with my mom, who has a beautiful garden in her backyard, and she shared a story she learned from her mother. She said, “They sleep, they creep, and they leap.”
The Cycle of Gardening 🌱🌼
When you plant a perennial in its first year, it appears unremarkable above ground—few leaves, no blooms. But beneath the soil, the plant invests energy in developing an extensive root system. These roots anchor it, absorb nutrients, and ensure long-term health.1 😴
As the second year arrives, the roots grow stronger. You’ll notice more foliage and perhaps some flowers. Leaves play a crucial role—they’re the plant’s “engine.” Through photosynthesis, they convert sunlight into energy, fueling growth and resilience. 🌿
Patience pays off! By the third year, perennials burst forth with vigor. Expect abundant blooms, lush foliage, and a thriving plant. It’s like witnessing a leap—a sudden transformation from humble beginnings to full splendor. 🌸
My Oregon Garden—Where Plants Thrive
Oregon is ideal for growing, with abundant rain, diversity of plants, and natural beauty. Portland is known as the City of Roses.
Although I am still ramping up my garden, it is leaping this year.
Trees: Birch, Bigleaf Maple, Elm, Douglas Fir, Oak, Japanese Maple, Dogwood
Fruits and Vegetables: Blueberries, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Pumpkins, Peppers
Plants and Flowers: Rhododendron, Peonies, Rosemary, Roses, Lilacs, Hosta, Hydrangea, Wisteria, Daylilies, Daffodils, Ferns, Sunflowers
On the other hand, I learned that the phrase needs to be expanded to, “They sleep, they creep, they leap, and they go down deep!” to include the non-native invasive weeds that multiply each season. I now have a special tool that helps me dig deeper to extract the root balls that go deep.
I am enjoying the fruits of my labor with plant seeds, sleeping, creeping, and leaping up everywhere this spring! Some plants live for decades, such as peonies, which can live for up to 100 years in the right conditions!2
What are you planting in your garden?
Gardening has taught me important life lessons about patience, resilience, and the beauty of incremental progress. It’s also healthy for mind, body, and soul, especially during Mental Health Awareness Week.
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Happy gardening! 🌱🌷🌳
https://down2earth.ca/the-garden-the-first-year-plants-sleep-second-year-they-creep-third-year-they-leap/
https://www.americanmeadows.com/content/the-tool-shed/sleep-creep-leap-how-perennial-plants-grow
Love it!