Tending the garden

The sun breaks through the clouds in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

On Monday, I was at the hardware store in town, gathering supplies for a home improvement project. I noticed racks of seed packets, pots and soil. Wide-brimmed woven sun hats and new fashionable gardening gloves were waiting for their new gardening homes. My wife is a collector of both. Gardening has been on our minds over the last few days, as we had a taste of spring weather tucked in between snow squalls, blustery wind and cold temperatures. 

We wondered, what should we plant? Last year we planted a little too much squash, but it benefited our neighbors and the local food bank. This year, the promise of rows of carrots, lettuce, red cabbage and fresh tomatoes brings promise of a plentiful harvest, nourishing our soul and body. Long ago, I always rolled my eyes when my wife wanted yet another pair of gardening gloves or a sunhat, but now they are more than material things; they are hope, gratitude and love. They are part of expecting and knowing that the path to a bountiful harvest is right here in front of us. Indeed, we know seeds will germinate and fill the garden with vegetables. 

That also shows how the ideas of growth and nourishment are so much bigger than any material object. The family time and creativity that come along with tending the garden are the real harvest. This garden is a complete idea from its very inception, made of those strong virtues that bring it to life. Reflecting those qualities of love and gratitude, we become better gardeners of our own lives. We take better care of the soil, which represents the various elements of our collective experiences. We’re aware of what seeds we buy and plant — what we allow to prosper in consciousness. That’s the kind of cultivation that leads us down good paths, and it helps us plant seeds that encourage growth and progress.

— Gareth Henderson