Raspberry Thinning

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Yesterday, our son Sam joined us for a fabulous day working in the garden. Seda cut the grass for mulch while Sam weeded and built a strawberry bed. I spent time with the raspberries.

It’s always memorable, the spring thinning of raspberry canes, the trimming and fertilizing. Today, I’ve fished out a number of thorny mementos, and my fingers blaze with others that I’ve not yet spotted. My arms and shoulders celebrate their strength with delightful aches from pulling, and I’m in wonder again at the gift of dancing with these plants in spring.

I drew from the raspberry bed many dozens of canes that would be happier elsewhere and heeled their delicate roots into the wet pile of leaves out front. While garden stores cannot be rivaled for convenience, a raspberry cane’s ability to make and share of itself is a wonder we can all be grateful for. And I’m happy to share my part in this abundance, too. If you are local, please drop me a line if you’d like some canes; you are welcome to whatever remains.

Pictured above, the thinned bed with space to grow is delightful in its order. If you want the before picture, respond to this newsletter and I’ll send it out.

When are you aware that less is more, that the care given to a few brings greater prosperity to all?