Lessons learned from the garden

Plus, starting your own garden, planting tomatoes, how to compost, and more! [From The Old Farmer's Almanac]( [Almanac] Thank you, Jenny Vandersteen in Waterton Park, Alberta, for [this week’s photo](! Of all the things that have been canceled or postponed as of late, gardening is not one of them. There are lots of reasons to garden—exercise, self-sufficiency, personal satisfaction, to name a few. Along with the fresh food and other rewards, we love the unexpected lessons that come from gardening. Here are a few we’ve learned over the years: Beauty is everywhere. You just have to look. A well-maintained and -curated garden is a sight to behold, but don’t fuss to perfection so much that you miss the opportunity to delight in the untamed and wild. Good things require hard work. Like so much in life, there are few shortcuts in gardening, but all that sweat and toil is its own reward. Sometimes, failure is necessary. No gardener is perfect. Setbacks come with the territory. It’s natural to be disappointed when things don’t work out, and it’s a chance to grow something new. There’s more than one way. While there are rules essential for success, so much about gardening is trial, error, and a desire to learn. If something isn’t working, step back and look again with fresh eyes. You might be surprised to learn that the answer was right in front of you all along. A healthy dose of optimism goes a long way. Pessimistic gardeners don’t last very long! If you aren’t already, we would like to suggest you [stay calm and plant something](! How about [tomatoes](? They’re a popular addition to any vegetable garden, and [there’s a variety for every taste, climate, or landscape](. With retail varieties in short supply these days, now is a great time to [start a compost pile](. Finally, for our U.S. readers, tomorrow is [Memorial Day](. Don’t forget to [raise the flag]( and, no matter where you are, kick off the unofficial start to summer with a [feast fit for a family picnic](. As sure as the Sun will rise and set each day, The Old Farmer’s Almanac is here for you, now and always. Your Friends from The Old Farmer’s Almanac “When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden.” –Minnie Aumonier, 19th-century poet FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM [@THEOLDFARMERSALMANAC]( [Hydrangeas]( Want more lessons from the garden? Hydrangeas are a perfect example that not everything is permanent. The immense flower heads of hydrangeas come in an array of colors like clear blue, vibrant pink, frosty white, and lavender. The good news? If you don’t like their color…you can change it! It all comes down to the pH of your soil and the type of hydrangea. [Learn more here](! WHAT WE'RE DOING THIS WEEK [GARDENING]( [GARDENING]( [Composting]( [COMPOSTING]( [Raising the flag]( [RAISING THE FLAG]( [Going on a picnic]( [GOING ON A PICINIC]( THE OLD FARMER SELECTED THESE PRODUCTS FOR YOU [Product]( [Product]( [Product]( [Product]( [Product]( [Product]( [Product]( [Product]( [Product]( [Almanacs]( [Calendars]( [Digital]( [Cooking]( [Garden]( [Home Goods]( [Weather]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Visit Almanac.com]( [Shop Our Store]( The Old Farmer's Almanac P.O. Box 520 1121 Main Street Dublin, NH 03444 You are receiving this e-mail message because you subscribed at our Web site: [Almanac.com]( If you do not wish to receive our regular e-mail newsletter in the future, please [click here to unsubscribe]( *Please do not reply to this e-mail* To report corrections or inquire about your account, products, editorial, technical issues, [visit our Help Page]( © 2020 Yankee Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. [View in Browser](