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Gardening promotes wisdom

One of the habits that I inherited from my father is the wisdom of keeping a garden.

Although my garden is tiny compared to average and super-teeny-weeny compared to the one kept by my parents, it still provides something for me that is hard to describe.

Sure, it is wonderful to taste the "fruit of my labor" with fresh tomatoes, basil and other culinary delights. But there is more to the experience than can be tasted in the mouth when it is eaten. (BTW: The pic on the right is actually the first little grape tomatoes formed in my garden on 4/18/09) The weather around The Woodlands TX is warm really early in the year.

I actually can hear my father's voice when I am in the garden. I hear all the lessons he taught about responsibility and his favorite saying, "a job worth doing is worth doing right." I have taken some liberties in my life in defining what is "right" and it comes quite short of perfection. Rest assured, I am confident that he understands this new definition of right and delights in my decision to be less than perfect.

According to many people, my standards are waaaay too tough. But they did not know my father. Compared to him, I am very loose with my ability to accept things with their faults. My real estate clients know my commitment to doing things right. Sometimes they actually tell me to relax and do less - or to give myself a little grace to be good enough. Although they really want me to be available each time they need me, they always respect my commitment to self-renewal with days off and the time I take off simply to play.

Today, as I wait to hear the papers are drawn for my out-of-state buyers who are building a new home, I knew that I had time to spend in my garden. I did not go to church. Instead I had my own spiritual experience in my garden and feel greatly blessed by that time.

Posted by The Woodlands TX Kathi Frank on 05/24/2009 12:25 PM

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58 Comments on Gardening promotes wisdom

MAY

Started my first garden yesterday. I pray that I learn something good from my garden but I have a funny feeling that it might chew me up and spit me out. Good to hear the stories about your father in the garden. Those memories are enough to rejuvinate us.

I haven't been to church in about 16 years. In fact, I'm not even a member of any organized religion other than political religions like Republicans and Democrats. When I need comfort, solace, and a place to think about life, I take a walk around the neighborhood, go to the beach, visit my own gardens (cactus and succulents, mostly), go to the zoo (which is an internationally acclaimed arboretum, too), Quail Botanical Gardens, etc. Life is wonderful and motivational if one will slow down and enjoy it.

You can't tell it by the state of my yard :-), but I too love gardening. I lose track of time when I garden - I'll even forget to take a break to eat! I get my best ideas in my garden or on my walk. I even love things like turning the soil and pulling weeds! Good luck with your garden; I look forward to more pictures.

Hi Kathi, My parents and grandparents always had gardens. Gardens are one of my best childhood memories. :o)

Lisa - You will learn very quickly if you continue to work in the garden, that the results of gardening only have a small amount attached to the success of the plants or the fruit of the harvest. Go into the garden for yourself and get what you need to reconnect with living things other than people.

Russell - I shared your experience of spirit for decades. Now, I have people that I join (most Sundays) that are NOT religious and would support your ideas of the wonder and motivation all around us. I just find it is fun to connect with those of like minds.

Jackie - Our profession can be very overwhelming at times. We can let all the things we need to do get in the way of the renewal we find doing other things. With the sound of your comment, I suspect you would find more time to garden if you set aside time to nourish yourself. If I am right, know that you are worth setting the time aside - JUST for YOU!!!

Shirley - My grandparents lived near Waxahachie, Texas and gardening seemed a necessity to them. I remember my Grandpa Shinpaugh going to the garden with his pocket knife and a salt shaker. He would eat fresh cucumbers by cutting them off the vine, cutting off the top and salting each bite as he ate them a couple of times a day. I loved watching him enjoy the garden in that way.

Harvey Cox called spirituality a moveable feast, a church is anywhere you feel the presence beyond yourself. I find it on a bicycle. I am glad you have your garden.

Hi Joe - There is a part of me that really wishes that I enjoyed "exercise" like biking. Although I can admit, like Jackie, I do enjoy pulling weeds; it is simply not the same level of exercise that tends to escape me.

What I have experienced in my garden, constructed from scratch over several years where before there was only lawn, is that it doesn't always work the way you think it will, or want it to. I have learned to rework, rearrange and be delighted with the parts that thrive. A little time spend tending the garden refreshes my soul for sure.

Some people have the green thumb.. I left mine in the horticulture class in high school.. :)

Sara - I would encourage you to reread what you have written about the "garden experience" and recognize that the same thing applies to our lives in general. When we let go of things happening the way we want them to - beautiful things bloom.

Roland - Without a doubt, you have a "green thumb" for growing things that have nothing to do with gardening. Concentrate on what you do well and follow your own path.

I garden on my porch in containers. The deer love my yard, but thus far have not ventured up my steps to eat my porch vegetables. I learned from my father too. Your tomatoes look great, are they roma?

Hi Kathi. I have learned much from gardening too. Mainly patience and letting things unfold in their due course of time. Also about waiting for late bloomers. I love that you have high standards. Nothing wrong with that and that your father is such a wonderfully strong influence and presence in your life. Great for you and your clients to shoot for excellence. Congratulations on your feature.

Kathi,

Even though I know I'm just planting deer food, I adore playing in the dirt too. And I think we all hear our dads' voices when we're on our knees with dirty hands!

I am a certified "Brown Thumb" and I have been "going all HGTV" on my deck the past few weeks. I painted some old pots and got this wild idea to try and grow something! :o))) Well today I noticed that there are little green sprouts popping up in my pots! I am so elated...maybe the curse of the brown thumb has left the building! :o)))

Gardening is a wonderful way to commune with nature and reflect on our souls . The flowers he grew and loved were beautiful. I remember happy times of long ago. My father always loved to garden and he lovingly cared for the most beautiful yard on the block, "our yard"

Happy times and memories of him enjoying his time spent in the garden will always be in my mind.

Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate

PS - I forgot to mention that gardening is very teraputic .

Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate

I love gardening too. It's a great way to unwind. The other night I finally had a chance to go outside around 9 pm and realized why my mom had spotlights in her garden.

Kathi what a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I bet he is there in the garden with you! Everybody has their own 'garden' of sorts. Mine is hiking and being outside. You wouldn't want me anywhere near your garden....really. Just not my deal. But I sure do appreciate my friends with gardens and all those lovely fresh vegies. (I do herb gardens....does that count!!)

You just made me realize that I have so much more in common with my parents that I thought I did...and gardening and tending flowers is one of them.....thank you for the reminder.

Bettina

Tammy - Thanks for your comment. You've found a creative way to NOT feed the dear. These tomatoes are tiny grape tomatoes and I have already had about a dozen of them this year.

Gary - Love your comment - particularly the statement about "late bloomers". I fall into the really, really late bloomers. I am just now coming into my own in my 50's.

Irene - Isn't it comforting to know that certain actions we take bring back that feeling of having our Dad nearby?

"Brown Thumb" at Exit - Give up on defining yourself as not being capable to growing great things in your container garden. Nature is showing you that it is all good.

Patricia - You bring up another memory of my Dad. He had a huge garden (about the size of my current back yard) that was planted each year with cut flowers like Zinnias and bulbs like Iris. All the churches knew that they could come pick flowers for their altars on Saturday.

Jen - Sometimes it is sad to think that we cannot stop our business while there is still natural light. But we do what we do because it gives us the freedom to set our own schedule.

Anna - Herb gardens most definitely count in my book. Mine garden is primarily the herbs...with a few tomato and pepper plants. I can't seem to manage the time for more.

Bettina - Earlier in life, I was certain that I was not like my parents. Now I am so glad that I do possess many of their characteristics.

I love my garden too. Gardenias, hibiscus, and tomatoes, oregano, peppers, leeks, grapes and citrus . . . red yuccas and lots of palm trees . . .

I just harvested my first Serrano pepper from a new planter I set up when Spring began . . . that was the most exciting accomplishment of my week. And this year I tried a couple of those topsy turvy tomato plants (they ROCK) :)

It's great to get away from the desktop and out of the vehicle, away from fluorescent lights and into the sunshine too . . .

I don't know if I'm wiser while out there, but I sure am happiest . . . thank you for the reminder! :)

I add my cherry tomatoes to pizza after I slice them in half and it makes it more tasty and nutricious. I'm sure your garden will be a source of a boutiful harvest!

Candice - I don't know about you, but I feel most wise when I am happy. It is the joy that makes us feel most connected to our Creator.

Thanks Monica - I know I am a little nuts about such things...but I think fresh tomatoes and basil make almost ANYTHING taste better. You ought to get a taste of my fresh basil chili - pretty awesome.

Hi Kathi...

I used to be a big time gardener, with every kind of flower imaginable and so many veggies that I couldn't process them or give them away fast enough.

I miss those days. There is a calm serenity that comes from gardening, I love the smells of the plants and the good soil too. I have plenty of room, just not the ambition. (sigh) Nice post,

I love gardening... it is truly a work of art! Whether you eat your garden or simply enjoy all the plants and colors, it is magical.

We love gardens and when we used to live in the Seattle Washington area we had a garden almost every year -- but in Phoenix it is more challenging to grow things in the hot summer heat and we had not tried it here -- but love fresh veggies from those who do.

Richard - You touched on one of the most pleasurable parts of growing a garden. When the Universe aligns itself to give abundance - you have a lot of joy you can share with others. That is great fun!

Joan - I personally enjoy all sorts of gardens, but find myself with a limited time to devote to them. So I tend to stick to a small kitchen garden within view of my kitchen counter. It soothes my soul.

Bob and Carolin - There is no doubt that gardens are much more challenging in some parts of the country. When I lived in Dallas (where I started my real estate career in 1975), it felt like we needed a jack-hammer to break up the black gumbo soil. Here, our only problem is getting rid of unwanted plants. Everything grows like mad. Things are lush and beautiful at least 9 months of the year.

I have square foot gardens. It can be very relaxing.

Thanks for sharing. This has given me several ideas for posts of my own.....

My garden for me is a connect to GOD, to my grandfather, my mom, my husband and my children and myself. All in differing ways.

There are so many lessons in the garden....I like the having to plan, the reaping what you sew and more.

My garden reflects my life too. I am sure that the many things growing closer together than the seed packages ever allow for and the weedy nature of it certain parts of the year says much. No matter what I love having a garden.

Hi Kathi, I also am learning the joys of gardening as well! Working with your hands and just enjoying the quiet really helps me think about things and helps me re-charge my batteries. It's also so much fun to see the benefits of all your hard work--beautiful flowers are my favorite!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend,

Anne Rains

Lana - Are your square foot gardens in raised beds? That is a great idea for those people with really hard soil - like in the Dallas area. Take every opportunity to relax and retreat from this sometimes maddening business.

Anna - Not only does our garden teach us to plan - but it also teaches us to let go of the results and to appreciate what actually shows up.

Anne - I have to admit that I get most of my flowers from the grocery store. But right now, the rhododendrums are blooming...so I keep some on my kitchen counter to prompt a smile every day.

We went to the Bishop Museum today....and that was a spiritual experience (as well as historic to boot) in itself. Sometimes, I need to take a step back...even from ActiveRain....so I can just enjoy what's around me. I tend to forget sometimes. :) You seem to have had a nice day to...reflect.

I love gardening and all the beautiful things that grow when you tend to them

Sally - It sounds like you had a wonderful day. We all need to get away...even from ActiveRain...to see all the extraordinary things that we miss on ordinary days. The cool thing about my day is that I spent a few hours with a buyer to work up a contract with DR Horton to build them a house. It's all good.

Russ - Tending to things usually can bring some pleasant results...as long as we don't try to control the outcome.

Kathy- One of the first things I did when I got back from my 2 week trip to Alaska yesterday was to go out and look at all my tomatoes, peppers, and flowers that I had planted this spring. I was thrilled to see the flowers all in bloom (many from seeds!), little peppers on the plants, and tomatoes ready to flower. Learned mylove of gardening from my grandfather, hope that he's enjoying my garden from above.

I spent the whole day putting in a garden. Its a good day today.

Linda - It is funny how something as personal as a garden can connect us to our heritage. This is only the beginning...you are going to enjoy all the things you planted. WOW, I am jealous of your trip to Alaska. Did you bring back pics to share?

Shane - I hope you have a bountiful crop to compensate you for the day's labor. You will enjoy sharing with those you care about.

I too remember many lessons learned in the garden. My family had gardens and farms. I just wish I had some type of a green thumb now. Planted some flowers and I don't think they are "taking". I should have realized, you have got to start with good soil.

Hi Kathi -- I genuinely enjoyed reading your post. It made me think: If I were looking for a REALTOR, I would choose you alone based on this post. :-)

MAY

Kathi - thanks for the encouragement. I have started taking more gardening time for myself this year, and the yard is coming along. My body and my mind benefit from gardening.

Hi Kathy, I used to have a huge garden in the city, there is nothing like spending time in the dirt, watching and watering -- sometimes I miss it. I loved the description of your grandfather and the salt shaker -- I have seen my father in law do that. Enjoy your garden and Congratulations on the feature!

Gardening is a wonderful way to rejuvenate the mind and spirit. And I think, once I get back in the swing of things, the body.

Being a copywriter means I sit at a desk all day, so the physical exercise of getting the ground ready and doing the planting has my muscles screaming at me after the last couple days of hard work. But... the vegetable seeds are all in the ground now. Next come the flowers.

And then, I don't need to worry about stopping the exercise once I have everything mulched... there is so much grass in the raspberry patch that it could take me all summer to clean it out. After all, I still need to sit at my desk most of the day.

I love crawling around in the dirt, getting as filthy as a little kid - but sure wish the black gnats would leave me alone. I'm pretty much covered in itchy welts tonight.

Ah well, dreams of home-grown tomatoes will sustain me!

Kathy,

I have always had a vegetable garden since my college days. I was going to put in my tomato plants today, but the weather report says possible frost tonight here in central New Hampshire.

As many who have responded have already said, it is about mind and spirit, and of course the end results are so tasty :)

I understand completely! I hope your garden gives you as much as enjoyment and satisfaction as mine gives me.

Gardening teaches hard work and patience does pay off as working real estate. Great analogy and post. Thanks

I am so thankful to be among so many wonderful Rainers. From you I have learned these lessons.

From Scott, we are reminded that we need to put our efforts in "good soil" or good clients. Within Chris's compliment comes the knowledge that we all are able to show our true selves by blogging here and can attract those good clients.

Jackie and Mary testify to the benefits of digging in the dirt to renew our own selves. Marte helps us to recognize that the clean work at a desk can be balanced by the dirt and hard work. Steve talks about timing and the fact that we must wait for the perfect opportunity. Katiejo helps us to feel confident of the payoff that comes from work and patience.

It is all good and I thank you!

Gardening is very great. Its also a great stress reliever.

I find those that work with the soil (with their hands) to be more grounded in reality. Love being around those type of people.

Gardening is so relaxful and serene. I hope your tomatoes are growing...ummm I can just taste a fresh grown tomatoe..nothing like it.

there is something very nurturing about getting one's hands dirty in the dirt. I have trouble just keeping a plastic plant let alone one that needs more attention.

Great blog Kathy - I worked on my plants a good part of the day and feel great having had done that.

Kathy,

Are those Roma Tomatoes, I been gardening a lot this last year. I like eating organic veggies and picking fresh food. I am almost ready to start harvesting papayas. My mom taught me to love gardening, there is something endearing about getting close to the earth.

Steve

JUL

Hi,

I have a vegatible garden that I enjoyed also with tomatoes.

Grace Keng, Silicon Valley realtor northern California, www.gracekeng.com

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