This is a reflective piece by a gardener whose relationship with her garden is perhaps deeper than many experience. However I am sure that some of you will empathise with the feelings expressed in her article if not to quite the same extent. This comes from Fran Sorin writing on the Gardening Gone Wild blog.
However, people in the United States tend to view gardening as a hobby. A ?hobby? is defined by Dictionary.com as ?an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.? It?s true that for most of us who spend time planting and digging, it is a hobby and not a professional job. Yet, I?ve always found that description odd and superficial because, as many folks who get their hands in the dirt intrinsically know, gardening is a much deeper, richer experience than the word hobby makes it seem. It?s not just an activity for pleasure or relaxation, but a life-altering need that our forefathers knew all too well.Years ago, when I would take strolls in my garden to see what was happening, I began to notice my inner voice actually talking to plants. I heard myself gushing over climbing roses in full bloom with phrases like ?Oh my goodness, you?re absolutely gorgeous. What a jewel you are!? Or when I saw a plant that looked sickly, I would bend over, inspecting what was wrong, gently touching its leaves and saying ?Poor baby. Don?t worry. I?m going to take care of you.?The experience of gardening is about cultivating relationships. When you take a plant out of its container, prepare a hole for planting, and then nestle it into its new home, you?re developing a bond with another living thing.?As you become more familiar with your plants and garden, you may begin to sense and acknowledge deep feelings for the rest of the living things that surround you, too. Not only will you be speaking to the plants, but to the birds, bees, frogs and other creatures that call your garden home.
See more at Gardening Gone Wild
Image source: Gardening Gone Wild
