10/6/08

My Inspiration

I get my inspiration from many places. Mostly it comes from my children, my husband, my close friends and family. I am a dreamer. I always have been. I always accomplish what I set out to, with the exception of one thing. I have always wanted to plant a small vegetable garden. Not for abundance, but for the sheer pleasure of planting something, watching it grow and then turning it into something delicious for me and my family to eat. For the past three years I have asked Damien to turn the soil in a small plot outside the playroom window.

For the past three years I have not planted anything in this plot. This year I even had Damien turn some organic compost into the soil. We should have some great soil in this tiny plot!

I found a postcard, of all things, in the natural foods store, which is now my gardening inspiration (among other things like blogs and friends). I have been reading it every day since I bought it last week. I know it's not the "New Year", but it's never too early to start making resolutions! Here is the postcard:

How To Go Organic

IMAGINE YOUR GARDEN
CULTIVATE THE EARTH AND OUR CONNECTION WITH IT
GREET THE SUN - FEED THE SOIL - LET IT BREATHE
WELCOME EARTHWORMS
THANK BUSY SOIL ORGANISMS HARD AT WORK
COMPOST
CHERISH THE TREASURE OF STONES AND BONES
AND BROKEN CHINA
PRACTICE NON-AGGRESSION
WHAT WORKS IN THE GARDEN
MAY WORK IN THE WORLD ONE DAY
BLESS THE SEED YOU SOW
OBSERVE WEATHER
WELCOME THE GIFTS OF THE SEASONS
WEED EARLY & OFTEN - LEAVE WILD SPACES - MULCH
FEEL YOUR WHOLE BODY
KNOW THE CYCLES OF THE MOON
KEEP A GARDEN JOURNAL - CHARM FAIRIES
EXPLORE COMPANION PLANTING
FLOWERS & HERBS LOVE FRUITS & VEGGIES
WELCOME BENEFICIAL INSECTS - DISCOURAGE FOES
WORK IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
DON'T USE CHEMICAL HERBICIDES, PESTICIDES OR FERTILIZERS
TAKE PLEASURE IN YOUR GARDEN AS A GIFT
TO THE BIRDS, THE BEES, AND THE CHILDREN
DANCE IN THE FIELDS - TEACH AND LEARN
SAVE SEEDS - TELL STORIES - LOOK AT STARS
ROTATE CROPS - REST THE EARTH
OBSERVE - ADAPT - ENRICH - SUSTAIN - PRESERVE
SAVOR THE ABUNDANCE
SHARE THE HARVEST
GIVE THANKS


Well, I have the first one done. I have been imagining this garden for quite some time now. I obviously have a lot of learning to do, but if I start now, by spring I should be ready. And I will be sure to start slow. A small garden the first year with no plans to preserve, just to eat what we are blessed with.

There are many things that inspire me, I just never thought a postcard would be on the list!


3 comments:

  1. I'm right with you on that one Amanda! Same story, small plot of land in the back for the past 3 years, a lot of good intention, but not a lot of action! I so want to do some vegetables but just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe we can learn together!

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  2. Give yourself a break lady! You've been a busy woamn raising babies and crafting (not to mention vacuuming everyday!) I am sure you'll have a splendid garden...and dreaming about it will get you through the winter! Cheers to your dreams...there will be plenty of time for gardens (and quilts and knitting and sewing and hmmmmm what shall we obsess about next???) Love to you.
    Kim

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  3. I like that postcard. I am sure you will have a beautiful garden! Really, all it takes is a little love and attention to it and it will provide you with so much!

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