Why do we like plants and gardening so much?

I believe in it so much -- I'm not sure I can truly articulate why! Can you? : )

For me I think its because I never feel as closely connected to the divine as I do when my hands are in the soil. The embrace of nature and the constant visual reminder of the continuity of life brings peace like nothing else I've experienced.

1. Because a plant is the only thing that stays where I put it, they don't wander off (like toddlers), no one "borrows" them and forgets to return them (teenagers and my curling iron); no one decides they would be better stored elsewhere. (Husband and everything else!)

2. They don't talk back when I talk to them. They listen. Unlike everything else around here, dogs included.

I'm not sure that I can either. It gives me such extreme joy and peace. I can "create" something while I'm in awe of the creation and Creator. My plants are always there for me. I don't talk to them, and they don't talk back, but I don't feel alone when I'm with them. I do talk to the birds, toads and bugs. I actually let out little cries of joy and CLAP like a 2 yr old when a special bud opens! It's like being little at Christmas.

I think it's all about the excitement of seeing new growth and experiencing life as it unfurls... reminding us to also do the same for ourselves... :)

I may be crazy, but I love the smell of dirt. lol

One of the most eyeopening books I've ever read was "The Secret Life Of Plants" by Christopher Bird, I believe. It changed the way I look at life itself. The cover showed a smiling flower, face lifted up to the sun. The gist of it is that plants *are* living beings that feel and are aware. They *do* communicate and are sensitive to the thoughts and intentions of those who tend to them, as well as those who approach them with the intent of inflicting harm or pain. They purposefully 'numb' themselves when they know they're going to be butchered. They react in fright and shock when a neighboring plant is hurt or killed. They breathe, eat, sleep and *move*, as anyone fighting clamoring vines can attest to. They just do it far more quietly and slowly than people and 4 leggeds.

Plants don't roll around on the floor screaming and kicking to make their needs known and get attention. One has to listen with a very special, subtle, intuitive set of ears. By allowing myself to quiet my thoughts and subdue the massive influx of noise bombarding me in the everyday world, I find it better able to not only tune into and "hear" the thoughts and needs of my plants, but also the small, still voice of God as I know him/her. It's all about subtlety. How I love them!

I'm with Terre!

Also, it's like meditation to me! It's usually quiet (if the dogs and youngin' aren't around) and you can forget the rest of the planet for a bit.

It's also great exercise!!! Everyone here knows what your 'gardening muscle' is - your back!! Oh and it's great for the back of those legs too!

:)

Nicole

It really is like meditation....anything that's on my mind and bothering me, 5 mins w/ the plants (watering, potting, whatever) and I've forgotten about it completely. Also, it's just the neatest most wonderous thing to watch them grow and see how they unfold. After work, one of the first things I do is run downstairs to see if I can see new growth from the day before - lol. Katherine

Usually by the time spring gets here, I'm so antsy, and sometimes a little depressed from being closed up in the house for the winter....then I get outside. Oh, what a great feeling.

Liila, I've read passages from that and before I take a cutting or move a plant I thank it and tell it what I am going to do so it can numb itself. I know others may think I'm crazy but this is the first time I've ever admitted it publicly. LOL. I've loved plants since I was little and am always sad when one dies. Almost makes me sad to eat veggies. But I still do.

Mobi

Thoughts on gardening...It is what I do when I want to get away from the kids. It is what I do when the kids want to do something with me. It is what I do when I am sad. It is what I do when I have a bill I can't pay. It is what I do when someone dies and I have to walk out the door for a minute alone. Gardening is what I do to make something beautiful and it is what I do when I need more of something. It is a way I find to share what I have. It is a way I find to give when I have nothing.

I love gardening. :) My father came here to visit after my not having seen him for years. He remarked at the number of plants I had. I told him every plant represented a time I should have spanked the kids and planted something instead. LOL He understood.

That's beautiful, Badseed. It brought a tear to my eyes.

Badseed, if your kids ever figure that out, they will keep you in plants for years to come!

I like the serenity that being in a garden brings and the sense of constant renewal that growing garden plants brings.

Dear Mobi,

There's nothing to feel silly or crazy about. I think Dave's is a place for special gardeners. I've never found any place with people who love their plants as much as I do. We may all feel differently or express it in different ways, but I see the same in all of us. A kinship with, respect for, and appreciation of plantlife.

When the one that waters, feeds, loves and cares for them comes to them with shears in hand or looking to move them, it's probably because they need it and know it and expect it. I'll be sitting here at the 'puter, or baking bread and admiring my beauty through the window and I'll suddenly have the thought to check the jasmine "Grand Duke" for dryness, or that my baby datura is being munched on by bugs, or that the heliotrope needs more shade, or etc...etc...etc...And I'll be darned if those feelings aren't always right on the money. It's part of developing that skill for hearing the still, small voice within.

I also feel that some plants were never really "right" or destined to thrive to begin with, and upon looking back I can realize that I've known it from the beginning, but I've always had to try, anyway. Anything living is precious to me. I'm here to help, understand, and rescue the underdog.

Native Americans held respect for their plant friends, and used to thank them before partaking of their bounty. Even today, some people leave an offering before harvest. The book also goes into the thought that plants willingly give up their lives to help sustain us. They have no choice, they will die, there is no reason to feel guilt about being higher up on the food chain. But it is definitely right on to be respectful and to at least appreciate from whence our dinner comes. It's *all* about respect and appreciation. I'm glad you've heard of the book. Even though today it may be a bit of an archaic read, it still rings truth and I'm glad to know there's at least one other person here who knows about it. I'll probably feel embarrassed tomorrow about posting this and sharing thoughts that might be best left to myself, but that's life.

This message was edited Apr 29, 2005 12:52 AM

Very well said.

Beautiful comments, Liila. Thank you for sharing them so freely with us, and for putting into words things we might not be able to express as well as you did just now. :)

Thanks to everyone for responding! It's so wonderful to read all of your thoughts, and to know that we have this great, great, all-consuming thing in common!

: )

- Mary

Gardening bring back some wonderful childhood memories for me. A connection to this universe. God made so many plants, diverse just like people. It is awesome to think about what is in just Dave's Plant Files! I enjoy growing living beauty.

It gives me peace in this crazy, mixed up world- nuff said...

My place is still sparsely populated with plants and trees but I get great enjoyment from each and every planting. Even my stubborn Avocado tree!! I know, I'm obsessed with it. The earth holds a special bond to us humans. In the grand scheme of things, thats where we all end up going. Back to the earth. The earth is our home and the need to keep it beautiful is strong. To me, there is nothing better then growing something. I have a granddaugher that loves gardening. Out of 5, she's the only one who appreciates the beauty of plants. That may sound kinda corny, but thats how I see it. Life if wonderful and to see it grow in any form is beautiful.

Well, aside from all the good things you have talked about...I think a lot has to do with control. OH, enjoyment foremost...but WE can CONTROL how t hey grow, if they thrive etc.

Then....

I think it is a basic human instinct (except in wierdos) to search for beauty in our lives...I find that with plants....

As I was sneaking around in the front yard yesterday with my camera, I was thinking that there are two kinds of folks: Those who take pictures of plants and those who don't.

Collecting coins is great, figurines are cute, but there *is* something special about gardening. I suppose there's something special about Pet Lovers (note the use of uppercase to delineate between them and people who love pets but don't make it their life) but after watching that show on Bravo the other night I'm starting to wonder about those people. Just kidding! I know they're not all like that.... right?

I was also thinking that I was a gardener long before I ever planted anything. I never made the time for it before but it was there waiting for me. It brings me such joy.

I don't feel "control" - is that my newness to gardening? I feel responsible, though. Their leaves - and spines - are in my hands. ;)

One of my kindergartners asked me today if it was against the law to kill Mother Nature (he was refering to the accidental death of a ladybug in someone's overzealous hands). Boy, did that lead to a long, wonderful discussion! Our place in the world along with all other living things - and every bit of our precious universe.

And I love, love, love how my own children are taking it all in and seeing so much more beauty around them. Call me biased, but gardening ranks darn high in the joys of life.

If anything, plants control us. If we don't nurture them they don't grow so we don't experience the joy they give us when they thrive. Did that make any sense at all? lol To me watching a plant grow to do whatever it was intended to do is wonderful. Be it flowers, vegies, fruits. Doesn't matter, the joy is still the same when it grows. Pets are the same way. I have a new puppy. Watching her grow is awesome. I love seeing how her personality grows along with her body. I love animals as much as I do plants. One makes noise and the other does not. lol

I love the dirt, I could get my nails done and the next day I will be in the dirt! I love moving a 200lb pice of tree to make room for more (YUP - I did today and ugh I'll pay for it tomorrow). I love teaching my children to love it -- I love thier messy faces after they have eaten ALL my strawberries sun ripe and warm.

I love that my garden gives me a way to explain why "those people" are brown. My 4 year old JUST noticed that in a resturant the other day. I told him that Mommy has flowers of all colors in her garden because it's more pretty that way. GOD made people all diffrent colors for the same reason.

I love that I can feed my family from my efforts. I love that I can make my home more relaxing and restful for my efforts. I love that I can be more relaxed for my efforts.

But mostly--- I love playin in the dirt.

Heather