Hiking Hippie Homestead

For as long as I can remember, there has been a garden in my life. My grandparents, my mother… someone has been tending a garden. I remember walking through a tomato garden harvesting green tomatoes with my grandmother. I recall my mother trying her hand at corn when we lived in Oklahoma for a time. (It didn’t go well.) I remember my mom building small chicken wired cages over the tops of her strawberries, in the hopes to keep birds and other critters at bay. I had no idea how much gardening had taught me about growth, patience, and the unexpected joys that come from just sticking your hands in some dirt, until I really took some time to reflect on it.

I’m in between gardens due to a move from Texas to New Jersey. And, now, I have to learn a whole new growing zone. So, that will be an adventure.
But, starting my garden each spring is always an act of optimism, a declaration that I could nurture life from the ground up. The initial days are filled with excitement and a bit of naivety. Armed with seeds, soil, and an unwavering enthusiasm, I begin down a road that should be rewarding… except that I almost always kill everything I touch, and rarely have a viable harvest to speak of. 🤣

This hasn’t stopped me from making my attempts, and learning a few things along the way. I thought today I would share some of these lessons learned.

Patience Is Truly a Virtue

One of the first lessons my gardening teaches me is patience. Seeds do not sprout overnight, and plants grow at their own pace, regardless of how often you check on them or wish them to hurry along. I am always reminded to respect the natural cycle of growth, to understand that everything has its season, and that the most significant changes often happen beneath the surface, unseen.

This lesson in patience extends beyond my garden and into my personal life. I now try to approach challenges and goals with a new perspective, recognizing that some things cannot be rushed and that patience can lead to a more meaningful outcome.

Growth Requires Persistence and Adaptation

Gardening is a study in persistence. Despite my best efforts, not everything I plant flourishes. There are pests, unpredictable weather, and other unforeseen challenges that test me. However, each setback is practice in resilience and adaptation. I have learned to research solutions, to experiment with different approaches, and to embrace failure as part of the learning process.

This persistence in the face of challenges teaches me a lot about myself, and it continues with every grow season. It mirrors the struggles we all face in life, reminding me that growth often requires us to adapt, to pick ourselves up after a fall, and to keep moving forward, even when the path is uncertain.

The Joy of Small Moments

Perhaps the most unexpected lesson from my garden was the joy of small moments. Finding a worm in freshly dug soil, the first sprout breaking through the earth, or the taste of a vegetable that I grew myself (yes, these are few and far between, but man… when it happens… I’m ecstatic!) —these simple pleasures bring a sense of wonder and contentment that I always surprises me.

Gardening taught me to slow down, to savor the moment, and to find joy in the little things. It’s a lesson that has made my life richer and more fulfilling, reminding me that happiness often lies in the experiences we might overlook if we don’t pay attention.

Reflections

My garden has become much more than a space to grow food; it’s a source of life lessons, personal growth, and unexpected joy. It has taught me about the virtues of patience, the importance of persistence, and the beauty of embracing the small moments that make life truly meaningful.

To anyone considering starting their garden, I say: go for it. Even if you aren’t very good at it, even if you kill it every year… The lessons you’ll learn and the joy you’ll find in the process are worth every bit of effort. Gardening is not just about cultivating plants; it’s about cultivating life, growth, and a deeper connection to the world around us.