Over the years my gardening style has definitely grown. When we were just starting out we were so proud of our little raspberry patch and flowers by the house. Later, as we had more space we began to add rock edging, raised beds, arbors and fencing. Mainly, what I have picked up over the years of gardening is: patience, learning from mistakes, humility, connection to nature/God, and the realization that growing food and flowers is deeply fulfilling!
PATIENCE
First and foremost, gardening requires an extra amount of perseverance, especially in Northern Minnesota. During the long harsh winters I often find myself dreaming of my summer garden. By early spring I start gathering seeds and graphing in my notebook the layout and plants planned for that year.
Of course the wait is long, as planting doesn’t actually happen around here until the first week of June. Then from seed to harvest there is another 3 months or so for most plants. Planning, preparing the soil, planting, watering and weeding all take time and patience and of course waiting. This is definitely not a hobby for you if you are looking for immediate gratification!
LEARNING FROM MISTAKES
Admittedly, gardening is a work in progress, and I definitely have a lot to learn! From fertilizer to companion planting, growing times and pest control it can sometimes feel overwhelming. It is fun to continue growing in knowledge in all things plant related. One thing on my bucket list is to become a Master Gardener through the local college. When the time is right I would like to investigate this opportunity further. For now, I keep reading books and watching Youtube videos to get inspired.
HUMILITY
It is humbling to come to the realization that I’m not in control! From extreme weather conditions to animals, big and small, gardening can oftentimes be unpredictable. One year, I sent my oldest son to clean out the garden beds for planting and he found a mama bunny and her babies all nested in the raised bed. Needless to say, the seeds getting in the ground were delayed that year. Similarly, last summer a mama bird built a nest right in our entrance arbor. Every time I tried to open the gate the mama bird was not happy! Watering and weeding were pretty challenging for a time.
I did a little google search on the word humility and it comes from the Latin word humus meaning earth or ground. Being humble means being grounded in reality, knowing your strengths and acknowledging your flaws without overstating your value. This connection between humility and the ground and how it applies to gardening is fascinating to me. Asking for help, learning from others, knowing my limitations all apply here.
CONNECTION TO NATURE/GOD
Nowhere do I feel closer to God than when I’m out in nature, strolling through all the abounding beauty. Psalm 19 states “The heavens declare the Glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands”. Walking through the various gardens on my property always point me to God’s goodness, provision and creativity.
GROWING FOOD AND FLOWERS IS DEEPLY FULFILLING
Flowers bring color and beauty into our ordinary lives. Home grown vegetables bring nourishment and taste into our cooking. There is nothing like a farm fresh carrot, tomato or herbs to elevate an ordinary dish to something amazing. Not to mention the superior nutritional value.
There is something deeply satisfying about gardening from start to finish. From flowers to edible plants I really enjoy this fun hobby. What about you? Do you enjoy gardening? I’d love to hear what you’ve learned from spending time in your own garden- or what you’d like to grow someday.