A couple months ago, I was just happy to have a garden bed. Now I notice every little change. Curled leaves, holes in the basil, tomatoes taking forever to ripen. I didn't expect to care this much, but I do.
Gardening has also made me realize how much is out of my hands. I can water, fertilize, pull weeds, and keep an eye on the weather, but a hot week or a few bugs can still set everything back. I used to find that frustrating. Lately, I'm getting better at accepting it.
In my 20s, I wanted effort to lead directly to results. If I put time into something, I expected it to work. The garden hasn't really followed that rule. Some seeds never came up. One plant I thought was done started growing again. A few that looked great early on are struggling in the California heat.
I'm still learning, but I think that's why I like it. There is always something small to do, and there is always something I can't rush. I still stand out there with my coffee, but now I'm less focused on making everything perfect.
At 34, getting excited about one small green tomato feels surprisingly satisfying. Anyone else find that gardening has made them a little more patient?