
My five year old has decided that this year
He wants his own plot in the garden.
I am delighted at his enthusiasm
And interest
But also aware that our garden is small.
The space is precious.
I feel reluctant to give it up.
Despite this sense of reluctance
His plot has been selected.
The metaphorical keys have been handed over.
That corner is his.
To tend.
To plant.
To potter.
His spades and tractors go in –
He is not a no dig gardener.
On his first day he moves soil around
With spades
Hoes
Rakes
Diggers.
The day after he flattened it all.
Then the day after that he planted seeds.
He warmed and watered.
And today he talked to his grandparents.
He spoke about his plot
Like a grower.
In his words his roots stretched deep
His body stretched high
And in his new found independence
He started to grow.