Gardening for Happiness
Spring is an inherently joyful time for me. I feel enlivened by the longer days, abundant sunshine, and life that seems to sprout up everywhere. In Austin, Texas, where I live, spring brings heavy rains that turn invisible seeds into surprising and delightful spring flowers.
Until a few years ago, I took note of this natural cycle from Mother Nature but I never considered engaging with it myself. I always admired folks who could create their own gardens but I was sure that I couldn’t do so myself. But, as the saying goes, “never say never” because you don’t know what you can do until you try.
After several years of watching my plants mostly die in the Austin summer heat, I’ve learned many “tricks” for keeping plants happy and healthy. I’m by no means an expert, but my philosophy of “plant lots of seeds and plant them often” has served me well, especially when Mother Nature offers up her less than ideal growing conditions.
I decided to buckle down and learn a few, rudimentary facts about gardening, but overall I’ve found that if I bring the seeds and soil, God will bring the sunshine and showers needed to turn my seeds into flowers or delicious herbs and vegetables.
Before I began gardening myself, I appreciated the beauty of others’ gardens and knew that I wanted to create something similar for myself. I envisioned myself sitting in my garden while reading a book, sipping coffee, and maybe even writing about happiness. :)
What I hadn’t expected was how joyful the process of gardening would be for me. Gardening gives me an “excuse” to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. That part didn’t surprise me as I actually enjoy yardwork for that same reason.
What did surprise me was how impactful touching the earth would be for me. I like to garden barefoot when possible and I don’t use gloves unless I’m dealing with an excessively thorny plant. There is definitely something “grounding” about touching the earth and though I can’t explain the mechanism, my body literally doesn’t want to go inside after several minutes of being outside.
To feel the sunshine on my face, to smell the rains coming, or to hear the birds singing their morning songs brings me inner peace. There has always been a calmness in nature that appealed to me, but gardening takes my experience to the next level because within this garden are my plants, my friends, and my work.
I feel a connection to my garden because I planted the seeds, watched the seedlings sprout, and encouraged each plant to meet its greatest potential. When my plants develop flowers, fruit, or foliage, I rejoice as I would if I was watching my child take her first steps.
You won’t be surprised, then, when I suggest that if you haven’t tried it, you should begin gardening. Notice that I didn’t say “learn to garden.” You don’t need to read a bunch of books or blogs to get started. You don’t need a friend to tell you how to do it. You just need to start.
If you are a beginner to growing plants, start with a simple indoor plant. Choose one from your local home and garden store. Read the tag to find a specimen that will work with the level of sunlight in the location you want to place it. After you get your new friend home, do a little research on how much water he or she likes and whether plant food is advised and, if so, when.
That’s about all you need to grow a plant friend. You’ll learn more as you experience your friend firsthand. If your friend dies, realize that she’s a part of the circle of life. Thank her for her friendship and give her a sendoff into Plant Heaven1 with kind words of affirmation.
Soon enough after you’ve made one plant friend, you’ll likely want another. Choose the same species or a different species, depending on your interest. Ask your friends what they grow or simply enjoy the sights and delights at a garden center. If you spend enough time with plants, one of them will call to you (or, like me, several of them will call to you!).
Gardening doesn’t have to be complex and it doesn’t have to include growing food unless you want to. Houseplants, flowers, and even ornamental grasses could fill the bill. A gardener friend of mine recommends herbs for first-timers because they can easily be grown in pots, indoors or outdoors, and even if you don’t cook with them, their beauty and aromas add to the ambience of the kitchen.
You need not have any goal except enjoying your new friend.
Even if you’re growing plants only indoors, take note of the cycle of the seasons, of how the sun moves in the sky, and of how you and your plant friend(s) can be a part of this cycle. Spring is a logical time to start growing plants, but any time of year is the “best” time to start.
Is there a Plant Heaven? I don’t know. I can’t say whether there’s a Human Heaven, but I like to think there is, so why not believe in a Plant Heaven, as well? :)