The Kiss of the Sun for Pardon,

The Song of the Birds for Mirth,

One is Nearer God's Heart in a Garden

Than Anywhere Else on Earth.

~ ~ ~

"The most important part of what a garden does lies in the mysterious, subtle,

nearly ineffable but heartfelt ways it stirs you to the depths of your soul. 

That is the magic of gardens."

 

"It is only when you are open-hearted in the garden that it can begin to show you

what you need to do to take care of it.  And what it can do for you."

 

"The trick, of course, is how to make that connection."

~Dominique Browning - Paths of Desire

 

In the cultivation of the soil we find treasures little dreamed of opening before us. 

Success in growing a healthy and happy garden is in giving close attention to the laws involved. 

The special needs of every variety of plant needs careful study to understand how to make it grow healthy and happy.

Different varieties require different soils and cultivation. 

In compliance with the laws governing each is the condition of success.

 

A Beautiful Promise

As God instructed Adam and Eve in Eden on how to tend their garden, so will He also teach and instruct those of us today

who desire to grow a fertile and beautiful garden. 

When we work with the earth, cooperating with nature, and do no harm to the soil;

when we consider and obey the natural laws of nature the earth will produce its concealed treasurers.

 

The constant contact with the mystery of life and the loveliness of nature, as well as the tenderness called forth in ministering to these beautiful objects of God's creation, tends to quicken the mind, refine and elevate the character, and refresh the body and soul. 

 

Stressed? Discouraged? Sick? Worried? Come, find your repose, your joy and peace, in the loveliness of a garden.

A garden is the place to go when you need the freshness, the beauty, a warm atmosphere to surround you;

and a place that brings healing, comfort and peace to your heart, mind and soul.

 

Tips on Having a Successful Garden

Start by keeping a garden journal, noting your successes and failures, and placing emphasis on what made you excited

and what was a disappointment. 

Note your feelings and impressions, spiritual lessons you may have gained, and especially the blessings you received. 

Note what kind of day it was, how it helped refresh your garden, even noting the time! 

 

Plan Ahead! This is what brings success! Plan what plants should go where, and what companions do best with what plants. 

Read all you can about the various plants you plan to have in your garden, then make a map as to where you want to put the different plant families such as which flowers and herbs you want to plant in each family.

 

And, believe it or not, it is a good idea to pray for wisdom and guidance. 

Once you have done this, you can go into your garden with a peaceful, happy, confident spirit!

 

In her book, Great Garden Companions, Sally Jean Cunningham shares how planting in families makes for a successful garden,

adding the flowering plants that attract the particular 'good guys,' and those plants that help to confuse or deter the 'bad guys.' 

Some plants will actually work as trap crops to keep the bad bugs off the good plants. 

 

Consider the best methods of creating and building healthy soil and you will find that the 'bad guys' do not  bother with 'healthy' plants that grow from healthy soil, but the 'good guys' will be there in abundance.

 

So, Let's Get Started - Let's Plan on Paper First!

When putting a garden plan together on paper - its good to note which herbs and flowers go best

with the particular vegetables you plan to grow. 

Planning ahead helps you to see on paper what you want your garden to look like, and actually helps you in making your garden healthier, more beautiful, and more colorful. 

 

Adding to the Garden Decor!

It is nice to add some pieces of statuary, bird baths or fountains & bird feeders in different places in the garden,

along with some hanging baskets for color and character.

 

Gardens come in many different sizes and varieties. 

What kind of garden would bring pleasure and delight into your life?

1. A Prayer Garden. 

        a. Plant the favorite flowers of a loved one, or of loved ones who are sick in the hospital and in need of prayer. 

        b. Plant a flower for your boss, or your best friend, your Pastor, or for any one of your family members. 

        c. Bring home a plant from a funeral service in remembrance of the one who has just passed away. 

The concept is endless.  Keep planting and watch your garden grow. 

Very soon you will have a beautiful garden, and maybe a place to go when you need a quiet time for prayer,

or perhaps just a place of solitude to reminisce.  

 

2.  A Theme Garden.

        a. I love the idea of choosing plants and accessories for creating an ideal retreat, a peaceful refuge, an invigorating atmosphere,

a special place where kids can play, a quiet cove to sit and meditate, read or write, or a place to take guests for an afternoon tea. 

        b. I love choosing a variety of colors that help to create a particular theme, or choosing colors that change with the seasons.

So many awesome ideas are available for the creative gardener; just use your imagination.

Designing your garden can be a fun and rewarding experience.
 

3.  A Greenhouse Garden.

        a. Grow a garden in a greenhouse - greenhouses are, in fact, wonderful year-round gardens that can be as utilitarian and inexpensive as you want to make them.

        b. Greenhouse gardening offers many advantages, including growing your produce all year round, keeping favorite plants alive through the cold winter months, having a place to start your seeds for the coming growing season, and more.

“The weather is warmer, the bids are chirping, spring comes, and so do you…. To the garden.”

 

4. An Herb Garden. 

        a. An herb garden can be as big as your back yard, or as small as a window box on your kitchen window sill. 

        b. Herbs are fragrant and lovely!  They can be medicinal, or used just for cooking, or just for atmosphere. 

Growing an herb garden can be delightful.

 

5. A Kitchen Garden.

        a. A kitchen garden is a place where herbs, fruits & vegetables are grown for kitchen use, vs. a flower garden, etc. 

        b. A kitchen garden can be grown in containers placed on your deck or patio, in a spot close to your kitchen door, on your kitchen window, and placed somewhere with easy access. 

A kitchen garden can be a delight when you are looking for just the right ingredient for a homemade dish or salad

just in time for dinner.

 

6. A Rooftop or Hi-Rise Garden.

    a. Amazingly, gardens can be planted on rooftops, on top of high-rise buildings, as well as on window sills and backyards!

    b. Gardens can be planted in driveways, on decks or patios, and around swimming pools - the options are innumerable. 

Planting a garden with food potential is one of the most valuable things  you can do.

 

7. A Children's Garden

        a. A children's happy place is where little hands can learn to grow, where they can help with the planting, growing, and harvesting, where they can go outside and see and smell the pretty flowers, and learn to love the things of nature; where they can laugh with delight when they see the first tiny shoots appear on the soil surface. Most kids love gardening and would be delighted for the opportunity to grow something special. 

The earth laughs in flowers, and children laugh in delight at the joy that fills their hearts in a beautiful garden.

 

8. Growing Gardens In Containers

        a.  Did you know that besides growing a garden in raised beds, you can also grow a garden in raised bed boxes, in trenches, in hanging baskets, in wheelbarrows, in old tires, in garden bags, on your kitchen windowsill, in large & small & different shaped & sized containers, & even in paved driveways?

        b. As you consider what and where to have your garden, keep in mind the particular needs of the plants you want to grow to be sure they will thrive and be happy, and be sure to supply those needs for a successful growing season.

Bee like flowers, Turn your face to the sun

 

9. Gardening Is Good For The Soul.

        a. Gardening can be uplifting, encouraging, therapeutic and peaceful. A garden can be a place for meditation and thought, and should especially be a place of beauty.

        b. A garden can be a place for education, and learning; and wonderfully, a place where we learn about God, about His Beautiful Created Works, and about the Great and Amazing love He holds in His heart for each of His children here on earth.

The color of springtime is in the flowers.  The color of winter is in the imagination.

 

10. Gardening supplies food for the table as well as for the soul. 

        a. Grow a vegetable garden. 

        b. Grow a garden with different kinds of berries and fruits. 

        c. Grow an orchard. 

        d. Grow a flower garden.

        e. Grow an herb garden.

        f. Grow a prayer garden.

        g. Grow a child's garden.

        h. Use your imagination and creative skills! Grow a garden suited just for you and your personal needs.

The ideas are endless. Take time to grow something wonderful, somewhere. 

 

When we study the marvels of plant growth - first the seed, then the shoot, then the first true leaves, then the full mature crop,

it prepares us for success. 

        a. A study of the soil, and what it takes to have a healthy garden, gives us a better understanding of how things grow, and how to make them more vigorous, and richer with life giving nutrients. 

        b. The nutrients for the plants comes from healthy soil, which in turn gives health to our minds, bodies, and souls.   

 

Be Inspired! Grow a garden!  You will be glad you did. 

 

Some inspirational garden Links:

Back To Eden Organic Gardening with Paul Gautschi: http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/

Born to Grow University with Paul Dysinger: http://borntogrow.net/

Joe Lamp'l/Joe gardener: https://joegardener.com