| It can be said that all living things come from the Mother Earth.
So, it would only seem natural that gardening would reach into the soul of
an individual. Such is the nature of the gardener.
The gardener uses seeds, soil, water, and the sun to produce the many
vegetables and fruits used as food. Some of the foods produced
include; radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, zucchini, onions,
watermelon, cantaloupe, beans, peppers, peas, and cucumbers.
The gardener will often start seeds inside the safe confines of the
home early in the spring. These seeds will grow into small plants
that will be transplanted outside in late spring after the last frost.
Most seeds will be planted outside as soon as the ground warms.
Seeds need water and warmth to sprout. Once the seed sprouts, it
will grow roots, a stem, and leaves. The roots provide water and
nutrients while the leaves gather sunlight for energy.
The gardener will nurture the plants throughout the growing season with
tender care by watering when needed, pulling weeds, and protecting the
plants from hungry animals.
The harvest season will vary with each vegetable or fruit. Some
plants will produce food within thirty days while others will need sixty
to ninety days to produce a fruit or vegetable. Some vegetables will
produce well in the cool weather of spring and fall, as in peas, while
other vegetables need the hot humid days of summer to produce well.
It's the gardener's knowledge of plants that provides each variety of
vegetable and fruit the opportunity to produce a bountiful harvest. At the
end of the growing season, the gardener will understand the connection between
the soul and Mother Earth.
|
