Succession Planting for Miracles
Struck by the design on some green bean seeds, I realize that growing food is no less magical than a beanstalk that leads to a golden egg laying goose, than a cow that jumps over the moon.
After planting a second row of beans, next to the ones already growing, I take a break to make some tea and then return to the garden with corn kernels cupped in my palm. I’m in awe, stopped in my tracks to stare. From this small mound of seeds a couple of dozen plants will bear corn, more golden than money, taller than my sons.
Later, with the sweet smell of rose and valerian lifted by a swish of breeze, I watch the garden from my seat under a giant pine, sip tea, and think about the corn and bean seeds buried in the ground. The birds flit and chirp like they’re throwing kisses, no less magical than the birds that made Cinderella’s gown. The song of the wood thrush is no less enchanting than the nightingale that Hans Christian Anderson’s Emperor followed into the woods.
Comments
Hello, NetChick sent me.
Super interesting article... love the HC Anderson's reference :)
Posted by: consumeandreproduce | May 22, 2009 11:04 AM
The garden...
This is beautiful. Gardening is so frantic here, with our short, intense growing season, I find it hard to pause and think it like this. Thank you for the reminder!
Posted by: Rachel Westfall | May 22, 2009 12:51 PM
What a beautiful reflection on the miracle of the garden.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | May 22, 2009 4:38 PM
Some plants seeds are so lovely that you want to keep them in glass jars like jewels. I am finally seeing my moon flowers and my hyacinth beans germinate...but not a many as I hoped.
Posted by: Tabor | May 22, 2009 4:53 PM
To Plant A Seed
Beneath The Sod
Is An Act Of Faith
True Belief In God
Posted by: Stuart Barden | May 22, 2009 6:55 PM
What a beautiful analogy.....and a miracle is realized in these words. xo
Posted by: Sherry | May 22, 2009 8:32 PM
a wonderful garden reflection on the true magic of nature. :)
Posted by: sky | May 22, 2009 8:33 PM
It truly is magic, and it's fascinated me ever since I planted my first bean in nursery school and stared at it for days until it sprouted. I can still remember what it felt like to be part of creating something that hadn't previously existed. Even now, it's little short of amazing.
Dropped by from Tanya's to thank you for the timely reminder. Which reminds me: the rubber plant needs a sprinkle.
Posted by: Carmi | May 23, 2009 6:14 PM
you know, I've never seen green bean seeds. They are pretty. All seeds are such genesis packages.
Posted by: Pearl | May 24, 2009 5:38 PM
We love this post. we are living in the garden and dreaming up our day. we wanted to tell you about the books from red cedar press called the anastasia series.
anastasia says if you hold the seeds under your tongue for 9 minutes while walking around the garden plot barefooted as you breathe full deep breaths....this allows the intelligence within the seed dna to read the genetic code of you as well as your current nutritional make up...then the seed and the soil will synergize to pull into the plant the exact minerals and vitamins that your body requires.
Posted by: joe cameron and emily | May 25, 2009 11:27 AM
These are jumbo flat Italian green beans. My regular green beans were never this pretty.
joe cameron and emily, wonder if sweat works the same way.
Posted by: colleen | May 25, 2009 1:49 PM