| Pruning is a funny thing... so mood dependent. Like | | | | contentment, happiness, whatever noun you |
| most activities in the garden it can be either a real | | | | would like to use. |
| chore (if you are in a crabby mood) or it can be a | | | | Why do I say this? Well you know the "life is a |
| calming, creative and relaxing process. | | | | journey not a destination" sort of thing... it's that. |
| There are times when I can understand the | | | | Personally I would go further... I maintain that the |
| peace and tranquility that is ascribed to the | | | | results that I get are better if I have a happy |
| practice of bonsai and my pruning efforts aren't | | | | garden, of course I have no proof, I am just |
| work at all, rather I am creating, in harmony with | | | | certain that it is that way. |
| my plants and working towards a mutual goal of | | | | Regardless, I certainly make less mistakes when I |
| plump ripe fruits... and there are others when I am | | | | am "in the zone", so from that viewpoint alone |
| certain that I would be much happier with a | | | | things work better. And pruning is one of those |
| cement lawn and I want to rip all of them out by | | | | things where mistakes can be very costly. |
| the roots. | | | | When we prune, we are trying to maximise the |
| Strangely enough, even though I attribute these | | | | energy usage of our plants, whilst still maintaining |
| moods to the difficulties I am having with the | | | | adequate shade for the its survival and the health |
| pruning at the time, the truth is that invariably I | | | | of the fruits. Not all leaves are created equal and |
| am already in a 'stink' and I have taken my mood | | | | we want to toss out the 'slackers' that are using |
| with me. And the plants (and I) end up suffer for | | | | more than they are contributing. (They are easy |
| it. | | | | to find, they will be the ones that are hiding.) |
| Now maybe this is sounding a little too Zen for | | | | Our job is to remove these non-producing leaves |
| you, and I can understand that, but there is | | | | (the plant would shed these itself over time |
| actually a very practical issue underlying this | | | | anyway), thereby forcing more energy towards |
| whimsical little ramble. | | | | the remaining leaves, the fruit and the growing tip, |
| Gardening is a chore! Quite frankly it is hard work. | | | | and creating space around the leaves that are |
| Yes I know that I am preaching to the converted | | | | left. |
| here but hang on a minute because the message | | | | This in turn allows the leaves to dry easier |
| is a little different. | | | | through better air circulation, reducing the likelihood |
| You see, because it is hard work, it is really rather | | | | of disease and pests attacking the plant. Oh |
| easy to slip into a mindset very like the one that | | | | happy day... |
| we had when doing the dishes as kids. You know... | | | | But... and it is a big but, all this only succeeds if it is |
| the 'put upon', life is so unfair, I would so much | | | | done correctly. Remove the wrong leaves by |
| rather be doing anything than this, attitude. | | | | mistake, shape the plant poorly, remove too |
| And if you adopt this mindset, then you may as | | | | many leaves etc... and you can get your babies |
| well go ahead with the concrete lawn because | | | | into a pretty poor condition very quickly. |
| you have lost the reason that you started | | | | And this is so much more likely to occur if you |
| gardening at all. | | | | are distracted, upset, angry, bored, inattentive, |
| There are very few home gardeners that I know | | | | resentful, blah, blah, blah (hmm I don't think Kei$ha |
| who would argue with the fact that we spend our | | | | is a gardener, it's probably the 'knees and dirty' |
| time on our knees getting dirty because we love | | | | part) and that is the point that I started with, the |
| it. (hmm, that didn't quite come out the way I | | | | 'practical' side of it anyway. |
| planned, let me try that again) | | | | Gardening is a chore... but it doesn't have to be a |
| We do what we do because it makes us happy! | | | | burden... make sure that your time with your |
| We aren't commercial farmers and it isn't a | | | | plants is 'happy time' and you will have a much |
| profession. It is a hobby... and sure the goal is to | | | | more rewarding experience, make less errors and |
| grow some ripe, juicy, great tasting tomatoes but | | | | achieve far better results. Your plants will thank |
| the purpose has to be enjoyment, pleasure, | | | | you! |