Tiny Miracles Part I
“For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it…
Do Plants Multi-task?
It’s February – the time that I, and many gardeners in Canada, are making plans for this year’s growing season. My own saved seeds, stored in envelopes, are inviting me…
Seeds As Time-Travellers
”Seed is not just the source of life. It is the very foundation of our being.” ~Vandana Shiva This month, I’ve been receiving notifications that the 2023 seed catalogues are…
A New Mission in Napier, New Zealand
Baby swan plants being lovingly tended Laudato Si' challenges us to “care for the natural environment and all people …,” and so a new mission has started in Napier, New…
Diversity, Resilience and Gratitude
The Horn of Plenty, associated with our Thanksgiving Day and overflowing with a diversity of fruits and vegetables, is the image in my mind each year as I plan the…
An Arbour, Birdhouse Gourds and a Meter Reader
On April 12, I sowed some birdhouse gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) seeds indoors, hoping they would yield a few gourds that could be used as birdhouses next year. Two weeks later,…
Laudato Si’ and Samoa
The more we love Planet Earth the more we will reverence and protect our natural environment. The more we love Planet Earth, the more we will be aware that we…
Summer Travels in Our Garden
“I spent the summer travelling. I got halfway across my backyard.”--Jean Louis Agassiz, 19th C. Swiss-American naturalist/geologist1 Several summers ago, I began the practice of taking a slow morning walk…
The Beauty of Soil Part II
Previously, I left you with this question: “How does a gardener, who knows soil is alive with so many creatures, look after the soil?” Generally, gardeners care for the physical…
The Beauty of Soil Part I
It was my interest in safe and healthy food that first drew me to gardening, which seemed a good way to provide pesticide-free, nutritious meals over the summer and well…