Recently, I encountered another mind-blogging experience in nature. I just relocated from a supposed urban community to a developing community. Now everything seems strange but enticing.
Snake control plant
On the first night in this new environment, the freshness of the air does not warrant the use of a fan or air conditioner. It was my first experience sleeping with a natural breeze and I can tell that it is quite soothing.
Waking up the next morning, I met a foggy atmosphere. That seemed unusual. What I am used to is that during the dry season, or the period of harmattan in Nigeria, is when we experience the fog but now, I have entered another season entirely. I should give it a name.
From this end, the nearness to the sunrise looks quite amazing. Early in the morning from my bed, I could see the sun rising from the earth's crust. It speaks volumes to my soul and preaches a natural doctrine of Slow and steady win the race.
I have always wanted to see the brightness of the sun in the early hours of the day but the sky-high buildings in the city have deprived me. I may have to stretch my neck or move to a place where we have bungalows to have a view of the rising sun, but now, all that is gone. From the comfort of my bedroom, the sun rises and I feel the warmth that produces vitamin K.
Before we moved in, I tried different crops on the premises to see which kind of crop best suited the place. So, I had to plant pumpkin, yam seedlings, plantain sucker, coconut, and palm front.
Guess What Happened
They all died. None of the crops I planted could germinate. They couldn't survive the soil acidity. But I did not give up. Some soil samples were taken and they tested good enough for planting. I wanted to have a new place where all needed spices and food crops would be easily accessed and I did everything right to ensure it worked but this outcome is a clarion call that I needed to do more.
The Search
I considered a lot of medals on how to improve the soil and to find out what causes the non-germination of the crops. Then, I found out that it is the heavy presence of one stubborn species of elephant grass.
At this point, I found that the root of the elephant grass is lurking under the earth and sniffing out other plants. Nature is just too amazing, the closer you get to nature, the more knowledge you are liable to get.
To control weeds, I had to apply some herbicides. In a space of four months, the elephants' grasses were gone but surprisingly, the land did not become empty, another species of grasses started sprouting.
The new occupants of the land aren't stubborn at all. With one drag, they will be completely uprooted. The indication now is that I am ready to plant and see my crops terminate.
Another Try
I had to try the crops all over again and they came forth flourishing with dark green pigment, showing that the land is fertile and the sun is good here.
As we settled in, we discovered some edible mushrooms growing from dead logs. That's could cost a fortune at the stalls, but nature is giving it to is free here. I wasted no time plucking it.
I was still celebrating the sight of mushrooms when I found a local vegetable called Achara. The plant was discovered and eaten by the Eastern Nigerians.
Green is life. My closeness and observation to nature gives me a new orientation to how we could.benefit from nature. From natural vegetables, fine air to breath and the rising of the sun, what more can you ask from life.
This is my newest experience with nature and it seemed to my favorite.