Meera Klein“Everything that slows us down and forces patience; everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.” ~May Sarton.
Our tiny backyard garden is a year-round source of peace and produce.
Gardening is a form of meditation for my husband. He finds solace and joy in pulling weeds, preparing the soil, carefully planting the seeds, watering and nurturing the plants and then harvesting the fruits of his labour.
Harvesting cherry tomatoes or handfuls of fragrant herbs gives him immense pleasure. The fact his harvest ends up in his dinner is even more satisfying.
Growing your own food is not only good for your body and the planet, but it can inspire you to become a better cook and a more informed eater. This has been one of the better side-effects of staying home.
I love fresh produce, but I admit gardening is not my thing. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy our backyard oasis. In the middle of the day, when the lawnmowers and leaf blowers are finally turned off, a warm stillness settles in the garden. The neighbourhood children are inside, and silence falls all around me.
The warm sun, chirping birds, buzzing bees and an occasional butterfly are my only companions. Somedays, the peace is broken when a territorial fight breaks out between the mockingbirds and the aggressive Scrub Jays. These tiny guardians are fiercely protective of their space.
The bees and butterflies pay no attention to the screeching birds. Gathering nectar from golden sunflowers and purple zinnias is much more important.
As the day warms and the sun’s heat wilts the green basil and the valiant tomato vines, I settle in the shade to enjoy the peace. For me, the real harvest is not the produce but the serenity of growing things.
Surrounded by verdant and lush bushes and plants, my breathing slows down. I can feel my muscles loosen and aches fading.
Northern California’s fierce heat melts away my cares and worries. As my body relaxes, my mind calms down. Those annoying thoughts zapping around my brain slowly wind down.
I don’t usually call this quiet moment meditation but sitting in my little green garden on a quiet weekday afternoon does feel like deep reflection.
At that moment, I understand what my husband finds so tranquil in the garden.
Recently we visited our son in his first apartment. His tiny patio is a little green oasis. I hope he discovers the restfulness of being surrounded by growing things, even if it is just one cherry tomato vine, a single pepper plant and a few herbs. But it reminded me of how much children learn by watching. For the past 22 years, he had watched his father plant summer gardens and winter gardens without ever showing any interest. Yet suddenly, here he was in his first apartment with a minuscule garden growing on his patio. Yes, we felt proud! Apparently, the cherry tomato doesn’t fall far from the plant.
Recently Dr Helen Delichatsios, an internist at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, was interviewed for the Harvard Health Letter. She says, “Backyard gardening can inspire you to take an interest in the origins of your food and make better choices about what you put on your plate. When you grow your own food, you savor it more because of the effort it took to get to the table.”
Here are some more tips from the Harvard Health Letter:
Start small and plant things you really like to eat
Pick a spot with at least 6 hours of good daytime light and access to water
Use contaminant-free soil
Consider using a raised garden bed, which allows you to control the soil and nutrient blend.
Talk to other gardeners for tips.
Here are some more tips I picked up from my gardening friends:
Learn by doing. Just figure out what grows best in your space
Don’t be afraid to experiment. You might lose a crop or get just one cucumber or one eggplant, but don’t be discouraged. Learn from your mistakes and take pride in that one vegetable or fruit you grew.
Watering by hand is therapeutic. Giving plants their liquid nourishment can be a form of work meditation, especially in the cool morning with just the sounds of songbirds to keep you company.
Remember, there is always next season.
Enjoy every small success.
Making a place for quiet contemplation, a moment of mindfulness, and meditation is essential in this busy world. I hope all of you find a minute or two to slow down, breathe deeply and find time to putter around in the garden.
