Gardening is rewarding in many ways.
It is rewarding because it's joyful, it helps us appreciate nature, wildlife, flowers, insects and plants. It helps us see that we are part of a bigger picture: one where we are connected to all other life. And, it helps us to appreciate the simplicity of life, and that their is joy in the simple things in life than many people overlook.
Everyone can also see gardens and gardening in different ways here, I am going to list my lessons and observations from what I've learned from the garden.
Patience
One of the most important and helpful lessons that I have learned from gardening is patience. Gardening teaches you patience, it gives you a calmness.
If you are growing plants or flowers, then you learn patience and to be patient, as growing flowers and plants takes time, you have to wait for them to grow and flower. But, this process also teaches you that there's not just enjoyment in seeing plants flowering, there is also enjoyment in seeing plata growing and waiting for them to bloom.
If you are growing food in your garden - like herbs, vegetables or fruits, it also teaches you patience as you have to wait for them to grow before you can harvest them. This not only helps you see the value in being patient, but also helps you see the value in growing your own food.
We Are Connected
When we garden, we see that we are all connected to one another.
Insects need flowers and plants, and flowers and plants need insects. And, humans, birds, hedgehogs, foxes etc also need insects, flowers and plants - all of us rely on and are connected to other species.
When we plant flowers in the garden, not only do we make our garden look pretty, but we also help bees, hover flies and other insects. When we plant plants in the garden, we help insects and having insects in our gardens helps birds etc.
If we grow fruits, vegetables and herbs, it shows us we are connectes to the seasons.
Connection To The Seasons
In the modern world, it feels as if a lot of people have become disconnected from nature and the natural world, to the extent that probably many people think that we are seprate from nature, or even live outside of it.
Yet, gardening teaches us that we are part of nature and connected to the seasons like all other life on earth.
Gardening shows us that we rely on the different seasons like all other life, whether it's growing vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, or plants, we depend on the seasons just as much as other life for growing our food, flowers and plants.
Every Season Has A Purpose
This lesson is connected with the last lesson, but feels like it deserves it's own point, as is also a little distinguished.
Gardening teaches us that each season has a different purpose in the garden. Let's look at each season individually -
. Gardening teaches us that spring is a time for preparing the garden, sowing seeds and planting.
. Summer is a time for full bloom and enjoying the garden.
. Autumn is a time for harvesting in the gardening and it winding down for the winter.
. Winter is a time for rest and hibernation. But, like spring, is alao a time for preparing ahead - such as planting bulbs and fruits for the spring.
We can also see these attributes in wildlife, that different seasons in the garden have different purposes for the wildlife in our garden, for example - hedgehogs hibernate in winter and birds build nests and have chicks in spring.
The seasons are as important to us as they are to wildlife.
Joy In The Simple Things
Finally, another lesson that hardening and spending time in the garden teaches us, is to enjoy the simple things in life.
I'm not so sure if I like the term 'simple things in life' as I feel they are the most important things in life, but, it's used to describe the most meaningful things in life, and, you probably get the idea when saying 'simple things in life' such as -
. Enjoying the flowers in your garden
. Enjoying listening to bird song
. The joy of seeing a butterfly in you garden
. The joy of watching the stars and moon at night
. The joy of sitting with a tea or coffee in the garden
. The joy of seeing a bee on your flowers in the garden
Simply, its the joy of connecting with animals, plants and the seasons, it's the joy feeling connected with life and the universe.
I feel that there's a spiritual connection with nature - with animals and plants, and with the seasons. It's the feeling of being connected with other life and enjoying our one home planet with them, I think that is garden's biggest lesson.
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