By Brandi McNeely, Master Gardener in Training
It’s early October in my zone 5b garden, and the season is winding down. Clean up has replaced harvesting, seed packets have long since been packed away and I’m feeling melancholy. I’m mentally preparing myself for a long, cold Canadian winter, and winters seem to feel longer every year that passes. When I start to feel this fall sadness set in, I take a moment to reflect on the lessons my garden has taught me.
Patience
Good things come to those who wait. Whether it’s waiting for spring, waiting for seedlings to emerge, or waiting for your harvest to ripen, the anticipation makes the result that much sweeter. My growing season has a beginning and an end, and that rhythm gives me time to remember what has come to pass and look forward to a new beginning.
“Four Reasons to Cultivate Patience”
Take Risks
Over more than 10 years of gardening, I have made plenty of mistakes. It’s natural to fear failing at a new task, but failure is just an opportunity for learning and growth. Take a chance in your garden next year – grow a plant from seed that you normally buy as an established plant, try a new variety of vegetable, dive in! If it doesn’t work out, make note of what you might change for the following season and try again.
“Why Taking Risks Helps You Grow – and How to Do It”
Resilience
We all face adversity in our lives, and resilience is our ability to move beyond it. I’ve had many instances when my garden was not working out the way I had planned. Drought, extreme weather and insect damage have decimated my crops in the past. Instead of throwing in the towel, I learned to pivot, adapt and come up with a new plan. My garden has taught me that sometimes resilience means accepting things that don’t go as expected and finding a new way forward.
Mindfulness
Our lives are busy. Work, kids, partners, hobbies… And technology connecting it all. When I’m in the garden I can disconnect, slow down and be mindful. The warmth of the sun on my skin, the buzzing of bees, the feel of earth in my hands all make me feel grounded. Calmer.
Taking time to feel centered and reconnect with nature can benefit our mental and physical health, all while pulling a few pesky weeds.
As another growing season comes to an end, I’m reminded that the garden gives us more than flowers and food. It teaches us to be patient, take chances, adapt, and slow down enough to appreciate the moment. Winter may be long, but I’ll carry these lessons with me until I’m in my garden again.
