Life Lessons from my Garden

Let me begin by admitting I am not a master gardener; I consider myself a student of plants, a novice at best. But it brings me satisfaction and pleasure to putter around in the garden, whether it’s tending to my tomato plants or trying to propagate my succulents.

I am an observer; maybe that is why I write. To report what I see and try to pass on the experience to others who can relate. Nature is my favorite place to observe. The interaction and interdependence of plants and animals. The way they go about their business, not in isolation but as part of the the whole. How every living thing seems to have something to contribute, even if it’s one small, humble purpose.

My grandfather inspired my love of plants and animals; in fact, he much preferred them over people. The older I get, the more I see his point.

I’ve planted succulent gardens in each of the houses I’ve lived in since college. I’m in love with the variety of textures, colors and shapes. The way they can adapt to almost any condition. How the “hen” varieties send out little “chicks” connected by a small string of life, which eventually drops off so they can establish their own roots. These are plants, making babies, and sending them out into the world! Okay, I’ll stop….I know I’m being geeky.

I’ve also planted a summer garden for about 15 years. Always tomatoes and herbs, usually zucchini and squash. Then I try other assortments of vegetables in which I’ve had varying degrees of success, including: green beans, cucumbers, peppers, snow peas, carrots and strawberries.

As I was watering today, I thought about the different life lessons I’ve learned from watching my plants go through their life cycle. I wanted to pass on my experience, so that maybe you can relate or share some insights of your own.

Guidance from the Garden:

• The quality of the soil in which you are rooted makes all the difference. If you are rooted in nutrient-poor soil made up of the wrong ingredients, you will not be able to thrive or be fruitful. If you are absorbing toxic substances from your environment that are not meant for you to consume, you will experience stunted growth, wilting, and will not be able to produce fruit. However if you plant yourself in rich, fertile, healthy soil with the proper balance of nutrients, you will thrive and be fruitful.
• If you are struggling, you may need a new environment. Sometimes, where you are planted is not the ideal place for you. It may be too dark or dull, or it may be overstimulating and stressful. Being in the wrong place does not lead to optimum growth, and can even result in changes in appearance. You can lose your bloom. If things aren’t working for you and you aren’t able to live up to your potential, a change in environment may be the answer.
• Take what you need, give of what you have. Take advantage of the energy and nutrients around you to build a healthy structure. The things you need are all around you; all that is required is resourcefulness and an openness to cooperation. In plants, help comes in the form of insects that pollinate the flowers that transform into fruit. The plant produces an attractive flower and the right environment for pollination to occur. The bees willingly help with this process and bring plant pollen back to the hive to use as sustenance. This symbiosis between plants and bees needs to be noted, and practiced more in the human world. Create your masterpiece, and share it so that others can take from it what they need.
• Be careful who you’re planted next to. Certain types of plants should not be planted together because their interactions do not produce desirable results. I learned this when I planted squash and zucchini together and cross-pollination occurred. It produced a franken-zucchini squash: oversized, full of seeds and bitter. Plants, and people, do best when they are planted near others that encourage healthy, authentic growth. Those that will bring forth your truest, sweetest fruit.
• Bearing fruit brings about stress and aging…but the fruit is worth it. Each year, I watch my tomato plants grow rapidly and enthusiastically toward the sun. Then, as the yellow blossoms turn into fruit…the vibrant green leaves turns pale and their bottom leaves shrivel, die and fall away. It takes a ton of energy and commitment to bring forth beautiful, healthy fruit. You start to yellow and your leaves begin to fall, but look at the amazing contribution you brought about. It is this self-sacrificing love that produces ripe fruit.
• There are good years and there are bad years. Some seasons are more fruitful than others. There are years of bountiful blessing and there are years–even strings of years–that nature takes it course and the result is not kind. Poor soil. Not enough water. Pests and pestilence. It’s enough to make you not want to try sometimes, rather than risk another disappointment. But such is nature and the cycle that repeats itself again and again; whether good or bad, abundant or sparse. Hope becomes deeply rooted in your heart. Trust that better years always show up. And that the years rooted in barrenness and disappointment are inevitably followed by years of fruitfulness, beauty and growth.