Spring Blossoms

Garden Street

Our first introduction to Czech Gardens was last summer at Hana's Mom's house. Fruit trees were being harvested, and we were given a bucket full of the most delicious plums we've ever eaten. I made Plum Crisp; the locals made Slivovice. (If you don't know what that is, you'll just have to read our earlier entries!) Since that time, we have been watching the Czech gardeners working magic in their treasured plots of land. And today, April 27th, provided us with glorious sunshine and a cool breeze. As we looked southward out of our 8th floor balcony, the blossoming fruit trees dotting the landscape beckoned us to take a stroll among the gardens that surround the village. Spring has arrived in the Czech Republic!

Almost everyone here has a garden. Because many people live in buildings like ours, they buy a plot of land in the village and then spend hours cultivating their gardens. Below is a small sampling of such plots.

Here is the lane that winds between the plots.
Each plot varies in size and shape; some have drainage and wells and others do not. And some utilize whatever means necessary to procure water. The Czechs are frugal and industrious. I think my dad will appreciate this next picture.
Many plots have buildings of sorts. Some are for storage, but most seem to be more like a mini cottage with grill and hammock included.
The next picture shows the combination of both a flower and vegetable garden with a gazebo in the back. Notice the built-in box in the middle of the plot - it's made of old planks and used windows and is used as a mini greenhouse to grow lettuce heads. The Czechs demonstrate well the old adages "Necessity is the mother of invention" and "Waste not. Want not."

Here's another version of the same concept.
At present, the strawberry plants are beginning to flower, as are all the fruit and magnolia trees. I can't remember a spring when everything seems to bloom all at once. Chicago weather is too volatile for such a symphony of color. The Czech Republic's continental position obviously isn't.

Some gardens are ordered and symmetrical as in the one above. Others are more natural and wild in their design.
The garden pictured below has one of my favorite displays of color! Mariana loves red tulips, so maybe next year we'll try to duplicate a similar design.

Below are several varieties of flowers I had never noticed before in the US, but they are lovely!
And here are two of my favorite scenes repeated in various forms when we walk through the gardens.

Gardening in the Czech Republic seems to be a source of beauty and enjoyment as much as it is a necessity. I can't think of a better combination.

Mark and I love to garden, and walking through these Czech gardens every day has reminded us of the value and joy of doing so. I have missed squishing my toes in the cool spring soil as we're planting peas. And Mark will have to wait another year to fuss over his tomato plants. For now, we will let ourselves be inspired by all the possibilities.

Happy Spring!