As I was working in my garden over the weekend, the song “Rain Dance” (1971) by The Guess Who spun round and round in my head. I’m not even sure what the lyrics mean, but it has a catchy tune, and I was taking it literally, ready to do a rain dance to end the drought my garden is presently enduring.
On Monday, as I was trying to revive my boxwood hedges, I bemoaned the powder-dry soil. Tuesday and Wednesday were snowing and cool!!! What’s next? That “Camp Granada” song comes to mind!
A rain dance is a ceremonial dance performed by people who believe it will cause rain to keep their harvest safe. Although I have no faith in my ability to “cause” rain, I respect the Indigenous Peoples and their descendants who once carried out this ritual dressed in feathers and turquoise to symbolize the wind and rain. They lived off the land and had enormous appreciation for it…they took care of it.
In my not-so-distant history is a long line of farmers. The land provided for them and their animals. It was their livelihood. Some of those genes must have been passed along to me. As I spend more time on my land (my garden), I’ve come to treasure it and be grateful for its beauty. I feel a responsibility to take care of it.
Have you noticed that your trees and shrubs look so much better after a good rain…much better than when you water with tap water? Rainwater may be higher in nitrogen (giving plants their green colour), but tap water, with its added chlorine and fluoride, may hinder plants from taking up nitrogen. Rainwater exposed to lightning is incredibly beneficial, as it has higher levels of nitrogen and ammonium (promotes plant growth). Although the weather appears to be impossible to predict (clearly!), and with the long-range forecast for a warmer, drier Spring and Summer, the city may impose water restrictions, making it all the more important to collect whatever rain nature has to give.
I’ve never had rain barrels. I hadn’t seen any I thought would suit my garden, so I pushed the notion to the back of my mind—that tomorrow is another day mentality! The time has come to change my ways. Now, I need to find rain barrels that provide both function and form.
I do know I want covered barrels. We don’t need any more mosquitos here, and although the squirrels drive Charlie crazy, I don’t want them drowning in the barrels. No more procrastinating!
xox Judy❤️
I was certainly not happy to see snow, with many of my perennials already showing. It has however, been a blessing for the lawn, and just cleaning things up a little, and does not seem to have effected the plants.
Yes, the trick with the rain barrel is where to put it. I have no location where a down spout going to a rain barrel would work without having an eye sore with down spouts overhead, and a barrel.
I hope something works out for you in your yard Judy, because rainwater is definitely better for our plants.
I am making my first trip out to Greenland next week, and will have to fight the urge to NOT buy any plants yet. Wish me luck. haha
Hi Karen, I’m happy to hear that your garden is coming along. After the snow/rain and now the sun your perennials will really perk up. If you get out of Greenland without a cart full of plants, you have supreme discipline! Good luck…but enjoy all the inspiration. xox Judy❤️