We often get so caught up in the daily hustle of
our lives that being compartmentalized has become almost a natural way of
being. Endlessly clicking our keyboards in temperature-controlled lab-like
offices with unlimited amounts of caffeine, we are on the verge of extinction.
Extinction of human consciousness.
The vacation that we toil for so much is
indicative that human beings want to break free. Our pursuit of joy is always
goal-oriented and hence hangs somewhere in the future. According to spiritual
sciences, a human being is made of 5 basic elements – Air, Water, Soil, Fire,
or heat, and Space. The more we live in touch with these elements, the more
profound our experience of life will be, and the more we will live in the ‘now’
of life!
Conscious gardening is one great way to achieve
this. Can you recall the joy you felt as a kid when you accidentally planted a
seed that grew into a sapling? The joy can be re-lived again by becoming a
conscious gardener. A gardener who is aware that whatever form of plant he is
nurturing has a purpose of serving, he is just a means. A conscious gardener is
aware that the elements that form a human being and that which becomes a
faintly greening tree are not different.
This enlightenment that comes with being in
touch with our planet through gardening, invokes a certain humility – how can
any form of life be different from me? Let us now explore some of the basics of
garden maintenance and setting up
your first garden. Come up-close with nature, all the while learning some life-lessons!
• Choose what you are planting
It is important to feel connected to the plants
that will eventually bless your garden. It is equally important to understand
your natural affinity for a particular type of plant. Maybe you want to plant
some lilies or impress your children with some roses. Or chances are that you
would like to see some spices in your garden which you can brag about at the
dinner table. You must know that your choice of a particular type of plant or a
balanced combination of many will have different maintenance requirements.
Start small!
• Find the right spot
After choosing what you want to plant, the next
step is to decide the spaces for each of your plants consciously. Almost all
vegetables and flowers require 5-8 hours of regular sunlight. Ideal spots must
be identified in the garden and allocated accordingly. You can't grow tomatoes
in the shade and ferns in sunlight. You can reach out to your local nursery for
help or check on Google and YouTube to educate yourself.
Choose a relatively flat surface in your garden
as it is hard, time-taking, and expensive to treat a sloping garden. Looking
out for windbreaks, like the walls of your building, huge trees, etc. can
protect smaller plants from winds.
• Pay attention to your soil
The quality of the soil will determine the
quality of the fruits and flowers. The more fertile soil, the better the
growth. Residential locations usually need a top-up of good soil quality. This
is because the topsoil is usually stripped away during construction. Adding
organic matter such as compost, decayed leaves, and dry grass while tilling a
new bed can improve your gardening experience. Leaving the
organic matter on the soil surface will eventually rot into humus, and the
earthworms will mix this with the subsoil.
Suppose you are uncertain about the type of soil
that your garden holds. In that case, it is always better to use professional
services like Garden World who will help you with the testing, treating,
cultivating of the garden, and lay the foundation for the garden of your
dreams. You can participate in the process and learn from experts about the
best techniques for becoming a conscious gardener.
• Sow the seeds, water them and forget the
fruits
Whether you choose to plant lettuce and
sunflowers that can grow independently from the seeds or plan on raising a
money plant that needs support, you must be willing to forget about the outcome
to become a great gardener.
Constantly water the plants at the right time.
Seedlings should never go dry. Transplants are also required to be watered
every other day until they develop roots. Watering the soil is also an
essential step in gardening and is based on several factors such as climate,
quality of the soil, rainfall, etc. Nature never lies. So, feel the soil 3 to 4
inches below the surface to check the dryness and initiate watering. It is best
to water the plants and soil in the morning to minimize evaporation.
Conclusion
Gardening is a skill, and like any other, can be
learned too. The difference between a caretaker and a conscious gardener is
that of joy. While institutions like Garden World have customized solutions for
your individual gardening needs, both commercial and residential, joy has to be
found within. Waking up to water the plants daily and finding a sense of joy in
raising marigolds cannot be taught.
Let us make gardening a conscious choice!