A Year of Gratitude – April 20, 2024

I found my gratitude in the raspberry patch today. I had been checking the raspberry canes for signs of life for weeks now. I had just seen the first signs of new leaves a few days ago. This morning, they were bright green and vibrant. Spring really is here.

It was drizzly this morning. I walked along the row of raspberry canes, smiling with each one that was suddenly covered with small, bright green leaves. Each cane covered with those leaves was a sign of fresh berries to come.

My mom and I spent a lot of time last year working in this space. We thinned the row to help give the canes better air flow and more structure. We need them to be strong now that our winters deliver heavy, wet snow more often than not.

We trimmed them, we moved many of them, and we extended the existing row to make a hedge around the perimeter of the garden. It was a lot of work, even with two pairs of hands. When it was finished, we could only wait to see how the plants would respond.

So, I was filled with delight and the hope for the season ahead when I saw so much green this morning. It simply wouldn’t feel like summer without this patch. I’m so glad that it seems to be as ready for berry season as I am.

We planted the first raspberry plants in this row about fifteen years ago. We purchased four scraggly plants and sunk them into the ground, hoping that at least one might make it. They have flourished since then, creating a hedge more than thirty feet long. I can’t begin to imagine how many pounds of delicious berries this spot has produced for our family to enjoy.

When I came back into the farmhouse, I was already dreaming of that first raspberry pie. I was thinking about raspberry ice cream, raspberry jam, and all the delicious treats those fresh berries will find their way into this summer.

As a gardener, I am filled with hope for the growing season ahead. I just can’t wait to enjoy all of the delicious bites that this ground will produce for our family table. I’m so glad that raspberry pie will be a part of the season’s feast.

This post is part of our A Year of Gratitude Series. You can find the introduction, inspiration, and entire year’s gratitude’s posts here.