Sowing and Sequestering

Sowing and Sequestering

March 12, 2020 was a pivotal moment in the working landscape at Reeves-Reed Arboretum. Our working environment changed dramatically as we began experiencing what the rest of world was facing and shifted to adapt to the new challenges. We held our last onsite in person program on orchids as we reluctantly shifted to a virtual platform. Less than two weeks later on March 25th we conducted the Arboretum's first webinar, the topic - Square Foot Gardening. For some of my colleagues it was our last "normal" working day on the premises.

From that moment on I began working mostly from home, covid-19 became a familiar phrase and my family became my new colleagues.

At home while sequestering, I continue to do what I do, and what I do is gardening. So while I wait for things to change I'm maximizing this season of waiting by sowing seeds of hope! I've gathered supplies - grow lights, pots, seeds, soil, water and I've begun to watch something wonderful unfold.

My basement is transformed into a makeshift greenhouse and the tiny seeds which I've sown will eventual grow into something useful, something beautiful, something pleasing to the palate and pleasing to the eye. The Arboretum's Square Foot Garden will be resplendent with a rainbow of colorful vegetables.

Each morning despite what we're collectively undergoing in our world, I experience a sense of excitement, an expectancy as I rush down to my basement to see what has changed since last I looked. What I discover is that the scarlet runner beans are more than a foot tall, the chervil has developed its true leaves, the sugar snap peas are stretching upwards.

So as I shelter in place I continue to do what I do. I continue to develop programs, I continue to collaborate with my colleagues using new digital platforms, and I continue to sow seeds and look with hope towards the future. I plan to be ready when the world reopens for business.

Garden On and Be Well!

Althea Llewellyn