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According to Dictionary.com, “puttering” means: to occupy oneself in an aimless manner.

Every seasoned gardener cultivates the art of puttering and finds the art necessary and refreshing. Gardeners, are by rule, a busy lot and are known to have extensive “to do” lists. But a few times a year, a gardener will schedule in a day of puttering to let creative thoughts flow in ways that an organized and focused “to do” list will not.

This busy week before the 4^th of July holiday why not take a putter day? Who’s to say that nothing will be accomplished? Accomplishments are not always visible or tangible when you contemplate nature at work. My most recent putter day started by turning my extensive “to do” list over and doodling garden and terrace plans on the other side. The daydream lasted through two cups of coffee. Next, I slipped outside into the garden to idle away an hour on the bench listening to song birds. 

I meandered past wisps of overgrown and “gone to seed” asparagus and contemplated for a moment their “management” next spring. I yawned and wandered sleepily toward the rambling vines in dire need of trimming. I rambled on in much the same way the rest of the day, puttering and arranging in my mind some sketchy garden plans for the next two weeks of early July. I tried to “multi-task” and nip and tuck stems in the patch of Cosmos, but became instantly distracted when my cat gave chase with a chippie. As the day lazily unfolded, I dug and pulled over in the potato patch and stretched through a row of snap peas and radishes ready for harvest. The day ended with a visit to a website: www.awaytogarden.com written by a former Martha Stewart editor. Life slowed down just a bit and when at last the sun set, did I feel guilty over a day where nothing was crossed off my “to do” list? Not at all.

We all lead busy lives and many gardeners need to take a day now and then. I highly recommend a day of puttering. Let’s not let this become a lost art.

TV6 Contributor - Donna Campbell, Master Gardener

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