Sowing Seeds

Life lessons: sometimes we need a dry season

Five yeas ago, I decided to stop watering my garden. It was an act of faith that God knows better than I on when the plants need water and when they don’t. Since implementing this idea, I’ve observed that when plants don’t have water on the surface it provokes them to drive the roots deep into the ground. When that happens the plant can withstand longer periods without rain as well as tap into the nutrients that allow the plant to endure.

This year my plants have been hammered with all sorts of issues yet I’m still bringing in baskets of food. The blight has been one of my biggest issues and I got to thinking, if we had rain or if I had been watering this whole time these plants would be toast. Also, if I had been watering everyday then stopped for a couple of weeks these plants would be dead. Instead, I’ve learned to trust His process and let the plants benefit from the dry weather. I’ll be honest, a part of me was starting to get a little nervous. I knew we needed rain soon or the plants would start to struggle. Last night I heard that beautiful sound, rain. There is something special about a good rain after a time of hot dry weather.

I started thinking about this idea and how we have times in our life where things feel dry. We ask God why, and even question His wisdom. However, if we had rain everyday our roots would be surface and our ability to draw nutrients, limited. It is in those seasons of drought where we see what we are capable of and in this process dig deeper to places we didn’t know existed. Don’t be afraid of the dry seasons. God may be tending to something in you that requires it and provoking you to dig deep. Then, when the rains come, there is a deep gratitude that only comes after a season of drought.

There is something special about the first harvest. I’m not filling baskets with produce just yet but it’s always so exciting to walk outside empty handed and come in with something you started from seed. It’s the hope of more fruit to come. After being away from my garden for 9 days it was really exciting to come home to this. Enjoyed a nice snack of snap peas today. ☺️

Some days, you just live right.

Even in Jamaica, I found the dirt. 😝

I think the word is getting out that I like coffee and plants. These were given to me yesterday. 😍

Here’s a few tips on how to store fresh produce! ☺️

Life lessons: transplant shock

Sometimes when seedlings are transplanted their little root systems can’t handle the shock. When transplanted carefully, the seedling can still get a little droopy initially. Until the root system has time to anchor into the new ground, providing stability can help the plant stand upright until the roots get established.
This made me think of us as people. In life, God will occasionally transplant us elsewhere. There is always an aspect of “transplant shock” that takes place. It can even feel like we’re never going to perk back up. But just like this seedling needed new ground in order to continue to thrive, so do we. There are seasons where we are the one that needs a stake to lean on and other seasons where we are able to be that stake for another. Be aware of these seasons and if you see a little transplant struggling, help hold them up while they work on their roots.

Who else is feeling way behind this season? Is it just me? 😅

Life lessons: what is your identity?

This is a tomato plant. It produces tomatoes every time. Not once will this tomato plant pop out a cucumber. This plant cannot decide to be a pepper plant either. This plant can vary on production. Can get sick or thrive but at the end of the day, it’s still a tomato plant. Imagine if we were as confident in our identity as this tomato plant.

This observation prompted a thought, God gives us an identity. It’s our job to walk in that in order to thrive. Walking in our true identity is far greater than position. I feel our culture has injected this mindset that we have to be more, make more, seek promotion etc. When really, we just need to be what God created us to be. If we know who we are, we begin to see our life take shape in ways we never imagined.

If we spend our days trying to be something other than what we are, we can never truly thrive. It’s important to separate from what society says is success and shift into a kingdom mindset. Asking God “who am I?” Is a powerful question that will reveal one’s true self and give clear direction for the future. If I am a cucumber and all I do is try to be a tomato, I will never be content with the fruit I am producing and I also will produce less because all my energy is going into trying to be something I am not. If I embrace being a cucumber, now I can focus my energy in producing fruit, making more seeds to sow for the future.

Knowing our identity produces contentment. It is when we don’t know who we are that there is a restlessness in us. Contentment is a powerful asset to our lives. We go from “I’m not enough” to “ I’m right where I’m supposed to be”

So my question for you is, who are you?

This!

My house may be trashed, but look at these medicinal packs! Aren’t they cute?! 😍🤭

Hey everyone! I have the April/May planting schedule up! For a free printable, click on the link in the comments.

I’m curious, if you could only plant 5 things what would they be?

Life lessons: there is more to life than seedling trays
I was working on some basil seedlings and noticed something that connected to my own life experiences. When you plant seeds it’s important to sow more seed than you need because not every seed will germinate.

There are times where you plant and several seedlings pop up. It’s important to separate these seedlings at the right time because too early and the plant will be shocked and may not recover. Too late and the roots are so tangled together it’s hard to separate them putting one or both at risk.
As I was separating these little guys out it made me think of how God moves us around in order for us to thrive. I could technically keep them all in one spot and it would produce basil. However, by separating them, each plant is given the opportunity to produce more individually than all of them combined in one place.

I’ve had seasons where God has moved me and in the moment it was difficult. I felt like it was more than I could bare, but every single time it has been worth it. God knows what we can handle. He knows which garden we need to be in and if we trust Him as the master gardener of our life He will place us right we’re we need to be in order to produce the most fruit. Those little seedling trays are comfortable, every element is carefully managed with lots of neighbors that look just like them but God has so much more planned and a purpose that needs to be fulfilled.

For example, basil is a great companion plant for tomatoes. By placing the basil near the tomato plant it helps to protect the fruit. Which leads me to another thought, this basil will never produce a big juicy tomato. However, it can assist in the tomatoes success. Basil has its own benefits too such as, antioxidants, supports stable blood sugar levels, supports arterial health, reduce inflammation, and antibacterial properties to name a few. This plant has so much to offer and just like us, should be content with what it is. We may never be a tomato plant, but we can protect the fruit of others while also producing something in us that has value. Alone we are vulnerable but together we we are strong.

PSA to all my gardening peeps. Take a deep breath, it’s going to be ok. Some things may not be done and you may feel so far behind but just work within your means, and enjoy the experience. 🌱

**Attention wild edible friends**

Meet wild comfrey. This medicinal plant does wonders for small cuts, bruises, sprains, or pulled muscles to name a few. The reason for this is because comfrey contains allantoin, this helps the skin to rejuvenate at a rapid rate. This plant is not recommended for deep wounds because it is best to allow the wound to heal from the inside out in order to protect against infection. However, for minor cuts and bruises this plant makes a great medicinal to turn into a balm or salve and apply topically. I find it most commonly in wooded areas that offer partial sun/shade. Right now is a good time to see if you can identify it and it’s a beautiful time to explore in the woods.

**Do not eat any wild edible plants, herbs, weeds, trees,mushrooms, or bushes until you have verified the plant and know they are safe for you to eat**

Ever wonder what to do with all the excess basil in the garden? Try a basil refresher! It’s a perfect summer drink especially after a long day in the garden.

Muddle basil (as much as your heart desires)
1/4 cup hibiscus tea
1/4 cup lemon ginger tea
1/2 cup of your favorite seltzer (I like La Croix Pina Fraise) add ice.

Enjoy!

Just a few more weeks before it’s time to get plants in the ground! Who has their beds/containers ready?

I’m probably going to do what I always do and scramble until the last minute. What about you?

Here’s a little encouragement for the day.

Jesus and Duct Tape

These guys were crushed from the greenhouse being blown around in the wind last night. I staked them up and put them in the nursery NICU (aka grow room) and they are already starting to perk up. Just like we can’t avoid disaster we can submit ourselves in the care of the Master Gardener who will tend to our brokenness and get us back on track. I fully expect these guys to not only pull through but be strengthened in the process. Our trials produce something in us that cannot be explained.

Do your tomatoes look pitiful? It could be for this reason. Learn how to troubleshoot common tomato issues in this video.

March 25, 2024 Have you ever experienced tomato seedlings curl up and turn purple and want to know how to remedy that? Watch this quick tutorial with results at the end.

While we wait for spring, sometimes early weather crops are forgotten. Here are a few things you could be growing right now. It’s not too late!

Hey guys! If you’re looking for some tips on how to split and pot up your tomatoes, I got you covered.

How to split up tomatoes seedlings Are you wanting to start tomatoes but feel intimidated by them? Here’s a quick guide on how to pot ‘em up properly. Enjoy!

What is your typical gardening outfit?