When I acquired a Hydroponics growing system back in 2013, I never imagined that 5 years later I would have become embroiled in a passion of gardening. Some people might passively garden, or just enjoy the fruits of their labours, however, there is a deeper experience that can occur through this nature connection. In effect, I liken it to a form of therapy... a form of meditation.
The most obvious effect of gardening may be that it is a grounding experience, a way to slow down an overactive mind and reach some inner calm. Continued practice however, reveals an increase in awareness to the present moment, via the surroundings of nature. This increased awareness is critical because it gives rise to something that is severely lacking in today's culture, and that is a sense of awe at the perfection of nature and an appreciation for it.
When I speak of perfection I am referring to the fact that everything serves a purpose. Garden "pests" for instance show us that our practice is out of balance. Perhaps we are not diversifying our garden enough to attract beneficial insects, or using chemical pesticides that do not discriminate what they kill. Inherently we see that every cause and effect relationship shows us how nature creates balance. And let's face it, most of us in this day and age live Extremely imbalanced lives, as a result of unhealthy societal programming and traumatic upbringings. We cope more than we live. We justify addictions and misuse of technology, and say it is inevitable or meant to be. If we summon the sincerity and courage to go beyond the Ego's mechanisms of denial, suppression, projection or deflection, the reality becomes clear that most of our daily actions are quite our of harmony with Love.
I want to mention here that while nature appears as a healing remedy to these problems we've created, it is not. Nature serves as a template to measure our level of progress as purer, healthier human beings. If we are seeking for nature to heal us we are simply taking. By observing instead, and rekindling to the Divine template, we can be reminded of our own soul's virtues and begin again to act upon them with more frequency. Perhaps we can elevate to health being a normal conscious state, rather than waiting for disaster or disease to strike! Thus, gardening/nature can be a trigger for us to remember and practice more of Patience, Appreciation, Respect, Joy, Grace, and so much more, but most of all, the virtue of Giving, or being of service (in this case practiced through stewardship).
We can also see the important practice of Work! We cannot be static beings, it degrades our health. Gardening can restore a respect and appreciation for putting Work into things to create meaningful results. In doing the work we put consciousness into action and we learn through this process, both through well calculated planning and efficiency as well as trial and error.
There's also the very obvious benefit of growing your own food that can be more fresh and nutritious than anything from a store, and over the long run can begin to offset some of your reliance on grocery shopping. But I wish to close on this... being a gardener isn't just about being a conscious creator, it is also a reminder that we are perpetual students. Each plant brings its own wisdom and as we find our plant allies, spend time with them, watch and study them over the seasons, we learn how they grow and adapt to changing climate and circumstances. It is a fascinating practice to experience.
If you decide to become a participant in the magical unlocking of the seed, nurture it to maturity and enjoy its fruitful resolve, you may discover a deeper way of sensing connection in your life, and transfer this quality into all aspects of your personal path and relationships. Give it a shot, and don't be discouraged by thinking you can't grow anything! For each there is a scope that is a perfect starting point, whether you live in a tight apartment or an expansive farm! It just takes some genuine curiosity to get you started :-)
Here are some additional images from my garden this year to help motivate you to grow a little something of your own!
This is a front view of the greenhouse, my biggest project, so far.
This is Rhubarb, the plant that just keeps on giving!
This is my biggest garden bed, most of which is spread with 5 different varieties of Bell Peppers, and some edible weeds that I let grow such as Purslane and Wood Sorrel.
These three beauties are Black Beauty Eggplants, with some Okra plants behind them.
This is a perennial bed of Asparagus, which looks unimpressive since I had to trim back most of the foliage due to some neglect on my part which led to an infestation of mealy bugs.
Here are some Broccoli. While I await for their infamous heads to form, some of the leaves have been snacks to a few cabbage worms.
This is a bed I dedicate to my favourite Cherry Tomatoes, along with some edible scented herbs and flowers to keep predators at bay!
Here is my experimental first attempt to grow Sweet Potatoes in fabric pots, after I nursed them indoors for 2 months before taking them out into the soil!
This patch along the fence is dedicated to Red Raspberries and a Red Currant Bush.
The almighty Goji Berry. These are the last berries that come into fruition in my garden.
The other patch along side of the house has switched up so many times. This year I potted in an Artemisia, some tomatoes in Fabric Pots, the super medicinal Yarrow is now established, along with intentionally planted weeds of Purslane and some spinach-like Lamb's Quarters that grew abundantly!
Here is one of my favourite perennial herbs to support my often taxed nervous system, it's Lemon Balm. And next to it some sweet edible Roses, along with Beans climbing behind.
Lastly is the lengthy garden bed along the Eastern fence, which my father has tended to for many years. It includes Green Beans, Collards, a whole patch of Garlic, and Tomatoes.