Getting Ready

 Preparation is the first step toward accomplishing any goal, right?  

A saying in the gardening world is that "the goal is to change your clothes as many times as possible each day".  While it's good to have a sense of humor, it's also good to realize that gardening can be dirty and messy; it can be hot, wet, muddy or any number of other things that cause a person to want to either bring layers or wear "grubbies" (or  both).  Wearing something nice feels good, but is not really advised if things have any chance of getting serious.     

It's also a challenge not to get "sucked in".  Invariably, you will go out "just for a minute" to do some simple little thing like water the bamboo...  Before you know it, you've got a compost bucket, are harvesting fava beans, have pulled some carrots, are dragging around pruners, gloves, and butterfly net; stool and  harvest bucket still in tow.  How did this happen?  So the first thing to keep in mind when heading out is to start by changing your clothes.  Keeping a set handy by the back door is something to appreciate. 

Second, the right tools for the job makes things go more efficiently.  Gloves are good.  Feeling the soil on your skin can be a great way to connect with nature, and there is a range of sentiment around gloves.  Even if you can go either way, it's great to have the option.  It's also nice to keep your gloves dry. 

A favorite pair of hand pruners comes in handy.  Having a set at the ready is recommended.  

You haven't even gotten out into the garden yet, but you're dressed for it, have gloves, pruners, and a plan.  When you prune something, you will be cutting either compost or harvest.  Now you need a bucket for compost, and a container into which the harvest can go.  Very much time doing this and you might wish you had a step stool.  Too many things to carry in one trip, and too many small things to set down and lose!  This is where a tool belt becomes appreciated.  Pruners and other handheld items including gloves can be kept there.  Pruning items, as well as gloves, are costly.  An appreciation for a coveted pair is soon cultivated.  Sadly, these items are all to precious, difficult to find, expensive to buy, and so not easily replaceable.        

Once you get into a habit and have your infrastructure set up all feng-shui ready, it becomes easier to seamlessly flow into a routine of using it.  From this, an appreciation can be fostered.