There are probably as many reasons to garden as there are gardeners, don’t you think? For me, growing fruits and vegetables at Cowlick Cottage Farm started out as a way to save money and to feed my family. I spent a lot of time reading about vegetable gardening and planning and building my first little garden, along with the help of my patient and talented husband. But it wasn’t long before I realized that gardening was about much more than saving money at the superstore. Gardening became a way for me to reconnect with nature and my spirituality. Rising early in the morning with the enthusiasm of a new gardener, I became more aware of my beautiful surroundings. I rediscovered awe.
While I wandered through my garden, coffee and camera in hand, I noticed the most minute details in my garden, like the first leaves sprouting on the fig tree I planted last fall. Joy!
As my garden grew, my awareness of how everything in nature is connected grew as well. For example, beautiful flowers not only bring delight to the gardener; they also attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden. Once I understood the connection and how important is was, I became committed to organic gardening and feeding the soil with rich nutrients via composting and companion planting. My garden at Cowlick Cottage Farm is full of all kinds of life now.
I grow along with my garden, and we nurture each other. When I work in the garden, my mind empties and stress melts away. I see only beauty and what needs to be done for the moment. And I’m reminded that miracles are all around us!
When I harvest fruits and vegetables from our garden, I feel empowered, because I am doing something that expresses my love to my family and friends. I can give them beautiful food.
Gardening gives me a renewed appreciation for the simple things in life, like a bowl of perfect blackberries, ripened on the vine.
And gardening has awakened a love of cooking, too, and an appreciation for fresh, natural ingredients.
Whether you grow flowers or succulents or vegetables, gardening is so much more than planting something. It’s about renewal and hope and connections. I hope you are inspired to give it a try!
Love,
Comments
14 responses to “Take Time to Grow”
The pictures are gorgeous, and I really agree with your sentiments. It is hard to not concur that the garden is really a stress free zone.
Thank you, and I agree! I really miss it when I can’t get out in the garden. Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
Lovely post. The first leaves on the fig tree reminded me of seeing the first leaves budding on our kiwi vines this year.
It’s so much fun, isn’t it?
LOVE your blog! Just found it-I think through Mary Beth Shaddix!
Thanks and welcome, Jan. Mary Beth is a sweetheart!
“Who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see believes in God.” I don’t know the author of this little rhyme, but it describes how I feel when I garden. Your blog today is beautiful, and I can identify with it so completely.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful quote, Shelly!
Beautiful pictures and very true thoughts.
Thank you, Jason. I’m glad you took the time to visit.
Lovely blog today Carolyn. I have a plaque in my garden that reads, “as the garden grows, so shall the gardener.” Old Proverb. So true! Happy Spring!
So true, Diane! 🙂
Lovely post Carolyn. Love those mornings of “coffee and camera!” I read recently that someone said… “God cultivates me while I cultivate my garden.” And that is so true! Enjoy your spring!
Thank you, Teresa! He does indeed. 🙂