I grew up gardening. My dad was always shooting for the most beautiful yard on the block (plus an elaborate rock garden in the back), and put me to work at an early age. I recall one year when we lived in Salt Lake City, and had a sloping front lawn. He secretly buried crocus bulbs so they would bloom and spell, “It’s Spring” after the snow melted.
Of course, I didn’t enjoy gardening at the time. Mixing vermiculite, peat moss, and manure wasn’t nearly as fun as placing the pretty flower in the hole. But, no pun intended, it grew on me.
I started to notice the leaves instead of just the blooms—and I’d know if something was over- or under-watered. I’d study the pests, the sunlight, the “habit,” the way to pull up a weed so it wouldn’t come back. All the little details vined their way into my soul, and I became someone who would gasp at a truly healthy fern, or a fluffy peony.
William H. Davis once said, “The more help you have with your garden, the less it is yours.” This is also true of children, but that’s a topic for another time. If you really want a garden that sings to your soul, you have to dig in and get dirty. You have to shovel, haul, trim, prune, fertilize, and water. You have to recognize the micro-climates around your home, and plant those shrubs and flowers that will flourish in each section. You have to know if a bush needs nitrogen, potassium, or a different planting zone. It sounds difficult, but if you invest a small bit of time learning the basics, you’ll reap a lifetime of beauty and enjoyment.
Not only that, but you—and your children– will learn great lessons from nature, along with a great work ethic. Here are five:
Respect for all that lives. God created every plant and animal; each one is striving to live. If you kill every spider, every earwig, every worm and beetle, simply because “it’s a bug,” your garden will not flourish. Many little creatures are vital, as they eat harmful pests and help decompose decaying matter, maintaining healthy soil. Ground beetles eat slugs, saving many of your plants. Pollinators are essential for growers of fruits and vegetables we eat, and several of them also feast on harmful aphids. So do your research and learn to appreciate those mosquito-hungry dragonflies. (The same goes for snakes, which are generally helpful. Learn which ones to avoid where you live.)
And doesn’t this remind you of following Christ, and being able to judge whom to trust, and who’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing? We need to know how to avoid hazards in our lives and in our gardens.
Patience. Plants do not spring into maturity in one day. Even if it says “Fast growing” it will never match the time lapse photography on your cell phone. But by coaxing them along, feeding them when necessary, and pruning them as needed, you can grow something wonderful (again, a lot like people).
And speaking of cell phones, rapid-fire social media, and videogame addiction, researchers have found a decreasing level of patience in students today. Teens who used to listen to an hour-long lecture in class are now replaced by teens who start fidgeting within minutes. If ever we needed something to teach us patience, it’s now.
Patience also gives us perspective when trials come along. We can more easily take the long view, avoid panicking, and develop a plan. We can more faithfully wait on God’s timetable.
Get Dirty. Yes, the current pop phrase, “Touch the grass” actually works. When we get out in nature, we feel calmer and less worried. Greenery, fresh air, rich soil, growing things—it all decreases anxiety and boosts our mood. Scientists claim it reduces the stress hormone, cortisol, and activates our parasympathetic nervous system, telling our body to relax. Some studies even show that it increases problem-solving skills. Personally, I love to feel connected to the planet. Even if it’s just one little spot, I’m contributing to the beauty of this vast gift Heavenly Father created just for us.
Own it. Gardening is 100% honest. If you’ve tended your plants properly, they’ll thrive. If you’ve neglected them in any way, they’ll show it. You’re either thrilled and humbled by what you’ve grown, or mad at yourself for ignoring your promise. And there’s no shifting the blame or covering up your inattention. Gardening gives us a great lesson in integrity.
Roots are everything. Every time you see a tree, you’re only seeing half of it. The other half is a mirror image in the ground. If roots are happy, the tree will be happy. This means paying attention to soil, watering, and problems than can arise. Think of the roots as the foundation of a building. It has to be sound, just as our testimonies need to be sound for us to build happy lives. Like us, plants need to be anchored securely, fed good nutrients, and given access to sunlight, water, oxygen, and space to grow.
Weeds also depend on their roots to survive, so when you remove them, you have to get the entire plant, not just the top part.
If you’ve never gardened before, please don’t be afraid to try it. Even in one pot on a patio, you can raise herbs, flowers, or a vegetable. Once you experience the joy of growing something, maybe you’ll feel the same spiritual rush I do, as a steward of this amazing earth, and buddies with the ground.
Hilton teaches Seminary. She is also an award-winning playwright, and the author of many best-selling Latter-day Saint books. Those, her humor blog, and YouTube Mom videos can be found here. The fairy garden pictured is in her back yard.
