I’ve noticed that sometimes, gardening is a bit like a game of chicken. You know the kind. Two people in cars barrel towards each other, or perhaps towards a cliff. Whoever hits the breaks first is the “chicken”. If they both fly off the cliff or end up in a fiery explosion, apparently they both win. I never said it wasn’t really stupid.

I run into this watching fruit ripen, particularly strawberries. Tomatoes too for that matter. In both cases, I want to pick the fruit at just the right time, when it’s fully ripe and bright red. Unfortunately for me, the birds and the squirrels have the same notion.

So, I face this dilemma. Do I aim to pick the fruit at the ideal time, but risk losing it to the forces of nature? Or do I pick it a little early, ensuring I get it, but not in that ideal condition?

In a sense, it very much feels like playing a game. Sometimes I win. Sometimes the scavengers win. When you think about “gardening”, you don’t usually think about gameplay and competition, but I guess I’ve found it. And I’ve decided I enjoy it.