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Garden Gate:  Does your garden reflect your health?  |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 07 2016 : 4:15:42 PM
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How connected do you believe your garden (whether veg, fruit, herb, flowers, etc) is with your own health? I am asking because the Mr and I have been discussing this very thing. I have a theory, but let me give some background first.
When we first moved to our property in Pembroke (where we used to live) we went all out and spent tons of money on planting a huge garden and I had a flower bed. He got sick during that time with pancreatitis and I was super stressed. We tended our plants but they failed. The next year, things were better with his health and mine. We did a smaller garden but went through the same process of care, the garden thrived (we had so much harvest that we had lots to give away each year). My stress levels continued to remain high due to family issues, my flowers and herbs did not fare very well even though the garden that Mr tended did awesome, though not all of our plants produced.
When we moved to Clayton (where we live now), the first year here we had an AWESOME garden with a lot less work than what it took at the old place. I can actually grow beautiful flowers here (couldn't grow hardly any flowers where we lived before).
Last year, we decided to do a garden again, Mr. decided he wanted to get back to Bonsai and I continued with herbs, seeds, and flowers. Last year our garden bombed. My flowers still bloomed but nothing like the year before. My seeds crapped out. My herbs didn't do well either. Mr's bonsai all died. Last year was a hugely stressful year due to my husband's serious decline in health, hospitalization, ER visits, tons of MD visits, and stress like nobody's business. Even though we continued to care for our garden and plants, they just did not thrive whatsoever.
My theory: I believe that in studying and working with nature and natural cycles for gardening and working with plants that we became in tune so to speak and our gardens (plants) became energetically (Spiritually) a part of us, so that when his health took a huge crash, everything garden-wise that he was primarily associated with crashed as well and when my stress levels hit beyond the high zone, my plants reflected it back in the way that they did not grow well.
The past year has been spent by both of us growing Spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically as we deal with his health situation. While his health is not great still, he is more peaceful and relaxed as am I. I believe that these changes in ourselves will reflect in our garden and plants this year and we'll have a better year than last and while I wouldn't expect a bountiful harvest, I do feel as though we'll have quite enough for us and that my flower bed will be gorgeous this year.
Do you believe that when you work the land and put so much into it that it truly does reflect back how you are doing in a wholistic manner?
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised-- His Holiness the Dali Lama
http://rachelsmithhhp.com
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2016 : 9:11:37 PM
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I believe that plants thrive with love, and when I neglect them, they stop caring and either don't produce or die. When we had a drought here several summers ago, I gave up trying to save my garden because it was too time-consuming. I still watered them, but I didn't really believe they would survive. Some did and some didn't. But I paid special attention to my blackberry brambles cause they were new and I'd put a lot of work into them, I used a soaker hose and paid a lot of attention to them and said some prayers--and they thrived, even in the middle of the hottest summer we've ever had. My indoor plants always do better than my outdoor ones because I find it unbearable to be outside when it's really hot. So my outdoor plants sometimes don't do so well cause I'm not out there talking to them and touching them. If I'm stressed, it's likely that the plant in some way senses it. My home is my refuge, the one place where I can get awy from the world, so I guess that's why my houseplants do well. I have noticed that happy gardeners have the lushest plants. This is an interesting question.
Cindy
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free; And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun. and cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done"--Loreena McKennit
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 04:31:58 AM
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I could see this, somewhat. God called us to tend the earth. The more love and nurture we apply to things in our lives, the more they thrive. I believe that is the way God intended it. That being said, there are also many reasons for failure. Soil nutrition, drought, etc... Last year was awful in our veg garden due to the long period of rain and cool/ damp air. Our vegetables crave the later heat of summer to fruit well, and the wet caused fungus to spread too quickly for me to keep up with.
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 06:20:24 AM
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I think so, too. Gardens give us food that is so fresh and bursting with nutrients, and I think fresh veggies and herbs inspire us to eat better. Then tending plants and flowers unplug us from the outside world of stress and get us outside in the fresh air, good for our minds and souls and bodies. Then the exercise it gives us makes us healthy cardio and burns calories, as well. Gardening nourishes body, mind and spirit, for sure!
Interesting topic!
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/
www.facebook.com/suburbanfarmgirlblogger |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 12:25:55 PM
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I have to say that I agree with Alicia's view point on this subject. Though everything Thrives
better with love and attention (from Gardens to People)...failures in gardening are more consistent
with what is going on in our climate and seasonal weather conditions. Where we live it seems to
cycle every other year. One year our gardens are glorious and produce enough to feed us and family
and friends. Another year (or two in a row) they barely produce blooms let alone fruit on the vine.
And like God said in the Scriptures...every 7 years the land needs to lay fallow and rest for a
year. ~ It's not that I don't give your idea Merit Alicia (I do)...I just believe there are more
contributing factors than that. But it makes for a great discussion doesn't it??? (+:
Hugs and Smiles,
Peggy
Farmgirl #1326
Dec 2011-Farmgirl of the Month
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
Don't allow others to steal the Glitz from your *SPARKLE*
Life is too short to knit with ugly yarn!
Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7141 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7141 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2016 : 1:45:06 PM
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I believe our gardens reflect not only our health but our attitudes. I deal with MS so my garden has to be one that can make it through my bad days just like I have to. I have to be realistic on what I can manage and how much I will really enjoy doing what it will take to care for my garden.
I know if I don't enjoy it sooner or later it will become a chore and not just work. To me there is a difference between work & a chore. A chore is that thing that grates on me and I hate doing it. Here's an example. In the spring when I am out buying plants I ask myself "do I really want to water it come Aug"? In the spring and early summer it's a little work to water daily but I do like being around my plants in the early morning. Come Aug I'm tired of watering and it has become a chore. So at the first sign of an ailing plant I trash it. Earlier in the year I would have babied it and saved it, but in Aug I no longer have it in me so I let it go.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2016 : 3:27:53 PM
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Ladies, I know that there are lots of factors that contribute to gardens thriving or declining; I was raised on a farm and I know what it takes to have a fabulous garden and I have seen how devastating it can be when you do "everything right" and still have a failure for harvest. That is not what I am looking at or questioning here. I am pondering the more Spiritual (not religious) aspect of our interconnectedness with Nature, specifically looking at our gardens since we took the time to purchase, plant, and care for them then I feel that they probably have a stronger connection Spiritually than plants growing wild. I believe that when we put a part or ourselves into any project, in this case our gardens, then the project takes on part of our own Spiritual energy, attitudes, etc. How would you explain a decline in the garden that is simultaneous with a decline in health and wellbeing of the gardener when all of the physical needs of the garden are met? To me, there is a Spiritual connection and I was hoping to pose the question and explore it a little among other farmers/gardeners without getting a Bible lesson or hearing that "it happens"...I know that stuff happens.
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised-- His Holiness the Dali Lama
http://rachelsmithhhp.com
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coaloha
True Blue Farmgirl
502 Posts
Pam
USA
502 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2016 : 8:15:33 PM
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Hello all,
I have a slightly different thought on this gardening topic. I know that my garden reflects the balance, or lack of balance in my life. When I am feeling in balance and have time to be "present" in my life, my garden looks great. When I am over-busy my garden looks like it is missing the gardener! Plants start to look overgrown and some die (I live in Phoenix, so managing water is so important in the summer). I can always check in with how I a doing in managing my life by how may garden looks. This is spiritual if you believe that living in balance is an important spiritual principle. I know for sure that I am a better human being when I have spent some time in the garden.
Pam
Farmgirl #1075 |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2016 : 10:37:38 PM
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Absolutely! When I am stressed, my garden suffers. This year I am DETERMINED to get out in my garden and stay there!!!
As a little side note, my Mamaw had a lovely Mr. Lincoln rose in her backyard for years and years. When she died, it died, too. It was very odd. My Nana had a very large cactus in her yard by the telephone pole. Same thing. ;)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Garden Gate: Does your garden reflect your health? |
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Does your garden reflect your health?
