SEEDS FROM PLOT 509

     The promise of spring came early this year. The crocuses peeked through the earth and the sun shown his fiery mane, warming us all. I bounded outdoors in my garden clogs full of new ideas, ready to set them in motion.

     Before the warmth came I planned my new garden beds while in my cave like apartment. I started seeds in flats and growing lights, successful with some, not with others. This is my nursery, and I treat my seedlings like my children. It was so hard to have to cull the eager but crowding seedlings.

     Now having put my ideas into motion, I can now put energy into becoming an inspiring example to my fellow garden mates, here in this community garden, I decided earlier this year to become one of several garden leaders. I felt maybe I can lend some of my passion and energy to help other gardeners to reap all the wonderful benefits that I have gotten from gardening.

     Even though some of the work can make one tired, my mind is so open and clear from the fresh air and soon some veggies to eat, nourishing and cleansing for my body as well. I can see the essence of the gardeners, all very similar, bright, focused.

     I have mentioned before, in an earlier issue, about how James Redfield wrote of the energy plants emit in The Celestine Prophecy. He is so right on. A garden like this community garden brings people together. Even the neighbors from near by will take an evening stroll through this garden.

     I hope to see more and more gardens cropping up. Especially in these new sustainable living housing complexes I have been hearing about. There are many books written on this subject and on sustainable farms. It just makes so much sense to grow food near by and not have to depend heavily on petroleum to haul food from hundreds of miles away.

     In our community garden, we have gardeners from near and far, some on bicycles, some on foot - like the hard-working Mung folks - some disabled but not disheartened. There always seem to be someone to talk gardening with - about the weather, the weeds, or the bugs, or general philosophy. I think we can all agree on its therapeutic benefits. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this healing, breathing machine of life.