This new year I want to encourage you to have a go at growing. I have found that growing plants is a fundamental connection to the earth. It literally grounds us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Grounding us by slowing us down and bringing us more in synch with the changing of the seasons and the pace of plant growth. Technology and the general speed of life in the modern world is urging us to a pace of life that is not sustainable. Gardening and growing offers a counterbalance which helps build in patience and peace. It allows our lives to have a chance to slow down a little and follow seasons more closely, coming more into line with them.
There is no rush in nature - and there need be no rush in our lives too.
Tinkering in the garden and in and out of potting sheds allows time and space to think. Digging the ground over offers physical effort that can allow the brain to go into neutral and the body to dictate the pace. So that in the process of manual labour - worries etc and every other problem in the world that bombards us regulary - can take a back seat.
The process of improving and transforming a space or working the ground - the fruits of our labours, are literally evident. With technology and office work the divorce between efforts and results often means that the treadmill takes over and the realisation of an end result is not tangible enough. Gardening and growing is a tangible effort with a tangible reward and so can be singularly rewarding for emotional well being.
The garden offers a space that can be personalised and in which the personality can be physicalised into your environment. A process that takes time and creativity to produce. Creating is good for us.
Solitude and restfulness can be built into your garden. A bench in a quiet corner offers a tranquil spot to return to. To build in slowing down and appreciating surroundings. To celebrate a particular rose in full bloom. To ponder and wonder and think deeply. Or maybe just to let the mind go blank. To listen to bird song and feed a robin. All good things for us.
So my encouragement to you - is to get gardening this year. Pick up grandads old unused tools. It need not be expensive. A few second hand tools (Men In Sheds, Exeter) is all you need. A packet of seeds. Or a cheap plant from Plants Galore......
Start small - get a pot plant into your house and learn to look after it. A bright window sill - do not water the plant when the soil is like a damp sponge. Water the plant when it is like a dry sponge. Simple.
Buy a plant for your garden. Start small.
Buy one plant and learn its name. Its as simple as that. Plant it in a spot in your garden. Most spots will be fine. Read the instructions that come with the plant. There are rules and regulations for successful growing but these get picked up over time. The child grows his first sunflower in whatever spot he finds. And normally nature takes care of the process along with loads of enthusiastic over/under watering.
The seasons are a slow process. There is time to think and reflect and there is no hurry to have everything right straight away. The process is one of trial and error - for even the most accomplished gardener or grower things die. They just do. Don't be daunted by all the names latin or otherwise. Don't overthink or overly worry about every aspect - it is not life or death.
Additionally - God - The Creator - The Gardener - can be found outside in the elements. I have had a few productive conversations - as I slow down. While cutting a plant - How should I cut this plant God? For me spiritually - the peace and quiet of the garden - away from distractions. Allows me to connect. To slow down enough to take my life off the agenda and allow God peace, space and time to talk to me.
This year - I urge you to take a break from the daily grind. Simplify and slow down
more. Spend more time outside. More time connected to the seasons through
the simple pleasure of gardening and plants.
Happy Gardening in 2019.
Love from - Sage.
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Kingdom Plants - exists to promote gardening and growing - to help tame and manage outside spaces. Helping to manage and create gardens to sit in and enjoy. I provide a gardening service tailored to your needs. Listening to what you want to do and achieve and working with you and nature to improve and manage your outside space.
On a good day. I have a cup of tea in hand and a biscuit and there is a chance of some sun.
I operate in Exeter, Devon and the surrounding area. Please contact me if I can help you in any way.
