Lessons Learned From Gardening

This is the third year of my garden and each year it has gotten a little bigger and more diverse. Usually I am late in my planting, but earlier this spring I found myself eagerly awaiting the moment when I could get my precious plants into the ground and kick off another season of growing! With some trial and error and self-education on how to cultivate a successful garden, our raised beds are slowly evolving into a diverse spread of crops that *actually* yield some quality produce (yay!) This year we are growing multiple varieties of tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, butternut squash, bell peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, broccoli, kale, rainbow chard, multiple varieties of potatoes and various herbs. Oh and my strawberry plants have really taken off, however they did not produce fruit this year.

Admittedly in the past I was very good at getting the garden started and horrible about upkeep. I would water inconsistently and never fertilize or prune, perhaps thinking that things would simply take care of themselves? Many of my plants would be overtaken by pests or simply die off from insufficient water and nutrients. This year it was my resolution to not only keep my plants alive, but thriving and fruitful and the extra TLC is definitely paying off!

Caring for the garden and seeing it grow has been a rewarding project, independent of the joy of homegrown produce, and has taught me a lot about the importance of community, consistent nourishment and trusting the process. Below I've outlined a few major life lessons I've learned in return for tending to my small but peaceful garden landscape. 

1. It's about the entire ecosystem, not just one plant.
​This year I was more intentional in my plant placement so as to take advantage of the benefits of companion planting. I took time to research which plants thrived when placed in close proximity of each other, and which plants would interfere each others' growth. A plant trying to make it on its own simply won't thrive as well as a plant surrounded by helpful companions. For example, I learned that planting basil in close proximity of tomatoes increases the yield of tomato plants, and that marigolds help to ward off unwanted pests. This year I planted marigolds and basil next to each of my tomato plants and carefully staked each early on so as to provide a strong "support network" throughout the growing season. As a result my tomato plants are heartier, healthier and so far, more fruitful, than years' past.  

This simple example reminds me of the importance of surrounding myself with community and maintaining a strong social support network. I am stronger and healthier when I surround myself with supportive and encouraging friends and family, engage in my community and maintain regular sources of accountability. 

This growing tomato plant is surrounded by supportive friends of basil and marigolds. The pine needles keep the soil warm and moist while the egg shells offer additional nutrients. This plant was later staked to provide physical support as it grows.

2. Healthy growth and development requires a fertile, rich foundation and consistent nourishment.
It took me a while to realize that much of the success of a plant is determined even before it is placed into the ground. I thought by buying large, hearty looking seedlings that they would thrive, but in reality gardening success requires fertile and nutrient-rich soil. Another mistake was starting with quality soil, but then failing to add nourishment throughout the growing season. As each plant develops roots, nutrients and water must be consistently applied to the soil otherwise those nutrients are quickly depleted. In the past I was more preoccupied with the outward growth of the plant that I failed properly nourish the soil and roots, the source of life for the plant! In regards to my own personal growth, that has me thinking: What nourishes me from the inside out? How am I caring to those needs to recharge on a daily or weekly basis?

The nutrients within the soil and its pH is a major determinant of whether or not a plant will thrive or yield produce. Last year I grew beautifully large squash plants that produced little to no fruit, likely due to lack of nitrogen in the soil. This year I've taken greater care to ensure the soil remains fertile and rich enough for each plant to grow.

3. ​Regular and intentional pruning promotes growth and development.
​"Deadheading" is the practice of removing dead or spent flowers that are no longer serving the plant. Regular deadheading provides plants with room to grow, while also allowing them to conserve energy and resources to put toward the overall health of the plant. It keeps the garden looking fresh, neat and colorful. Similarly, I am learning the importance of regular and intentional pruning in my own life. By identifying and removing that which is no longer positively serving me, I am able to make room for new growth. A similar process must be applied in regards to the infestation of weeds or pest. Just as weeds and pests can quickly crowd out and drain the reserves of the garden, so can unnecessary activities (over-scheduling) or sources of negativity in our life. Consistent pruning and weeding is a necessary process of keeping life (and plants!) healthy and balanced.

This leaf was overtaken by bugs :( so off it went as part of my daily pruning.

Basil is a great example of a plant that grows best with regular pruning.

4. The fruits of our labor are not always outwardly visible.
When we invest a lot of energy and resources into something, we typically want to see results ... and quickly! Potatoes (and most other root vegetables) simply do not work that way. While they DO produce stems, leaves and flowers above the surface, their true treasure remains hidden beneath the surface until ready for harvest. I have found this simple fact challenging in regards to monitoring growth and developing, but I continue to nourish the potatoes regardless. I have observed a similar trend in my training, where I'm often looking for outward affirmation in the form of workout and race performances as evidence that my hard work is paying off. Such is not always the case, and these potatoes are reminding me of the importance of trusting the process. By remaining faithful and patient, I know I will be handsomely rewarded with a harvest of golden nuggets when the time is right. When it comes to the fruits of my labor in training and life, I am trying to maintain a similar mindset by trusting the process and that, with time, consistency and patience, my hard work will pay off.

A top down look at my potato plants. While they have produced tall stems and beautiful blooms, it's hard to know what's going on beneath the surface!

5. Slowing down to take note of the little things is meditative while promoting peace and gratitude.
My mornings are looking a little differently these days. Whereas before I was quick to jump into work or catch up on the latest developments in the social media world, I've been learning to take things a little slower. For me, that has meant reading and journaling while sipping on my morning coffee, then meandering through my garden to tend to its needs. Chirping birds provide a peaceful soundtrack as I make my way from plant to plant, watering each and taking notice of new growth and any other needs the plants may have. My husband has this habit of staring at his fish tank for long periods of time, seemingly mesmerized by his fish. I never truly understood why until now. Walking through my garden has been a wonderful exercise in tuning out the busy-ness of life and tuning into the simplicity that is nature at work in my backyard. It's extremely peaceful and teaching me the importance of regular reflection, tuning into my body's needs, and taking time to be grateful for the many small miracles that are happening around me each day :)

I love daily discoveries of new produce! Here's my first budding cucumber :)

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.
— Alfred Austin

It's quite interesting to take note of the ecosystem of bugs and birds that taken up residence in my garden.

A few days ago I rejoiced at the sight of my first eggplant flower after three years of planting eggplant only to have them die. Little victories!

Last year I successfully plucked only a handful of cherry tomatoes from my tomato plants. This year with a few small tweaks in technique, I am soon to be overwhelmed with them!

Earlier this season, butternut squash seedlings took over my potato beds (likely from the compost I applied). This squash plant was relocated next to the fence so as to provide a natural trellis for it to climb.

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Do you maintain a garden, and if so, what do you have growing this year?
What life lessons have you gained from tending to your garden??