December 28th, 2019

​Gardening as a manifestation of freedom

“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops but the cultivation and perfection of human beings” Said Masanobu Fokuoka and thus offered a liberating concept to aspiring food gardeners and farmers.
As for my forest garden, I decided what I wanted, I researched, I planted, I mulched. Now what?

The busy student’s life that I took upon myself, combined with other responsibilities is allowing me only random short, flash visits in my gardens. This circumstance forces me to let go of control. I cannot force every nook and cranny to look as perfect as I’d like. Things I really wanted to do such as spreading a thick layer of wood chips were just not possible to fit into my schedule. It would have been extremely helpful but I had to cancel that plan.

During summer I came home from one job, looked at my gardens, saw the work I needed to do and ran to my other job. As I served my customers all these occurrences were being contemplated in the back of my mind. I was awaiting patiently and faithfully to see how this situation is leading me to resilience, experience and to good understanding. No time is lost. Everything works for good.  I am guided to be free of worry and concern. I have no choice. I had designed the forest garden and now I have to implement the “No Work” method, or very little work method.

This circumstance brings a new opportunity - requiring me to become awake.
It was said loud and clear and is worth recalling: “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or what you will wear. Look at the birds of the sky; they do not sow or reap or gather into barns – and yet your heavenly father feeds them.” No human that ever read this verse could forget it. We are meant to live as liberated beings under gracious abundance and love.

The flash visits to my garden have become meaningful, almost like the visits of forbidden lovers in secret. They make me mature; they teach me to accept things as they are: weeds or harvest, balanced areas and imbalanced areas. This circumstance is teaching me hands-on to let go of expectations and enjoy the presence of my beloved gardens with no strings attached. Even the infestation of flea beetles that nearly destroyed my eggplants and bok choy last year provided a real-life lesson in Integrated pest management, and an opportunity to change and try growing different crops instead, crops which, I believe, will provide better nutrition.

All is contributing to the learning experience. The various weeds provided a convenient supply for my rather extensive herbarium weed collection that was required for one of my courses. In another course I studied the traditional indigenous uses for many of the weeds and I developed a great appreciation and respect for them. I even collected some.  My teacher dried them and made salves and a wonderful lip balm from them which were given to all the students in class. From this teaching comes an idea that I might farm some of the weeds such as chickweed, plantain, mullein, calendula and goldenrod in order to make salves, one day, when I have time. What a better gift to offer people than natural, beyond organic self-care, soothing products?

What a great opportunity to allow things to unfold. To allow processes to happen. To liberate the elements of my environment to do their thing and liberate myself to not be attached to the results of my efforts.

Gardeners are leaders of their land. Like in any area, when developing leadership, it is crucial to not have intentions to control. True leadership IS lack of intention to control. When you liberate your surrounding and yourself things flow with ease and become fruitful. So it is in any relationship or action, also with a garden.
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When I had to do a “How to” presentation for one of my courses, it was clear to me that I will do a seed bombing presentation. I will demonstrate the freedom, trust, hope and faith in nature by creating seed bombs. My seed bombs were received with as much joy as I had for them and my co students and teacher asked to go outside (they knew I had asked for permission from the proper authority), even though it was cold, raining and full of wet slush, and throw the seed bombs near the school’s wetland. They look yummy but they are not chocolate truffles, they actually have composted animal manure in them. Yes, we dropped them like birds’ droppings, knowing they will grow wildflowers for wildlife to enjoy. It proved to be a wonderful stress reliever in the midst of our final exams. I then took seed bombs to my food forest garden and dropped them around the fruit trees. I promise to share with you updates once they grow.

​My garden became a manifestation of my freedom. Abundance comes easy. Abundance comes with love and with faith.
We open up a space for them, and they come.
 
Yours Truly,
Sharona