Category: Plant care

Fortune in Farming: The Unexpected Harvest 

Sometimes, it’s all about luck and gratitude in the garden.

This year, our commitment to our crops took a back seat. We spent a considerable amount of time in Austria and even rented out our house. We genuinely relied on pure luck, fully prepared for things to perhaps not pan out as planned. But oh, how fortunate we’ve been!

I had planted a substantial amount of potatoes, and they’ve thrived more than I could have hoped for. A little test dig confirmed a rewarding yield. I’d always hoped the potatoes would at least show some progress. But the real astonishment? The zucchini!

In a bid to have something robust enough to compete with the weeds, I decided on zucchini plants. I sowed a bunch of seeds in small pots and almost all of them sprouted within days. Once they reached a height of 5-10 cm, I transplanted them to the garden bed, gave them a good watering, and headed off to Austria. Since then, I hadn’t touched them. No watering, no weeding – nothing. And now, I’ve reaped the first harvest: a whopping 3 kg! Absolutely mind-blowing!

It’s nothing short of miraculous that the plants neither withered from drought, got devoured by slugs, nor rotted away. It was a gamble that could’ve gone either way. Relying on such a carefree approach isn’t typically recommended. But I’m delighted I took a chance. This experience has instilled a newfound peace in me. It’s a reminder that not everything in the garden needs meticulous attention or perfectly timed sowing. Sometimes, things just work out – with a sprinkle of luck, of course!

A Heartfelt Note of Gratitude

In reflection, this unexpected bounty from the garden has served as a beautiful reminder of life’s unexpected gifts. It’s easy to become entwined in our meticulous plans and efforts, often forgetting that nature, with its rhythm and wisdom, often has its own designs. This year, as I look at the flourishing zucchini and the thriving potatoes, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. Not just for the produce, but for the humbling lessons and the joy of witnessing the garden’s resilient spirit. It teaches us to appreciate the surprises, to be thankful for the little miracles, and to always remain hopeful. Because sometimes, when left to its devices, nature unfurls in ways more wondrous than we could have ever orchestrated. So, here’s to every unplanned bounty, every stroke of luck, and every moment of pure, unanticipated joy. Thank you, Mother Nature, for the blessings in disguise.

Read about the insights and aspirations that shaped this year’s gardening plans here.

Bountiful zucchini harvest from a carefree garden

Mindful Plant Care: Deepening Your Connection with Nature and Boosting Plant Health

Intro: Caring for plants can be a deeply rewarding and mindful practice. In this post, we’ll discuss how to connect with your plants on a deeper level by practicing mindfulness, offering practical tips for nurturing their growth while cultivating your own presence and well-being.

Embracing the Full Experience of Your Plant through Mindfulness

While it might sound a bit unconventional, the goal is to truly immerse yourself in the experience of your plant by practicing mindfulness. Often, we quickly pass by with a watering can, splashing some water, maybe removing a withered leaf, or pulling out some weeds. But taking the time to look, feel, smell, and even taste the plant can provide an incredibly beautiful and meaningful experience. It can also help us detect pests or diseases on our plants more quickly—a win-win!

Mindful Observation: Seeing Your Plant with Fresh Eyes and Enhancing Plant Health

Start by choosing a plant for mindful observation. Look at it, and I mean really look! Observe the shades of the leaves, the different parts such as the stem, leaf attachment, flower, and both the top and underside of the leaves and flower. What shapes can you see? As you observe, try to see your plant with fresh eyes, as if you’re seeing it for the first time. This practice helps you to become more aware of your plant’s needs and enhances its overall health.

Engaging Your Senses: Deepening Your Connection with Plants through Mindful Touch, Smell, Taste, and Listening

Next, engage your other senses to deepen your connection with the plant. Touch the plant. Is it smooth or rough, sharp or soft, lanky or sturdy? Smell it. Taste it, if it’s safe to do so. Listen to the sounds it makes as you touch it or as the wind rustles its leaves. By engaging your senses, you become more attuned to your plant’s needs, promoting its health and growth.

Cultivating Non-Judgment: Accepting Your Plant as It Is and Encouraging Healthy Growth

As you experience your plant, try not to judge what you see, feel, smell, taste, or hear. The plant is neither beautiful nor ugly, good nor bad. It is just as it is, right now. By practicing non-judgment, you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the uniqueness and beauty of each individual plant, which helps you provide the care and attention it needs to thrive.

Nurturing Your Plant with Love and Care for Optimal Growth and Well-being

Think of your plant as the living being it is. Just like you, the plant needs nourishment and care to grow and thrive. You might sprinkle some “gold water” or throw in a bag of fertilizer, but at the same time, you show concern for the plant, providing it with food. As you nurture your plant with love and care, you strengthen the bond between you and nature, contributing to its optimal growth and well-being.

The Benefits of Mindful Plant Care for You and Your Plants

Mindful plant care offers numerous benefits to both you and your plants:

  • Deepens your connection with nature
  • Improves your ability to detect pests and diseases early
  • Cultivates mindfulness and presence in your daily life
  • Enhances your appreciation for the beauty and intricacies of plants
  • Encourages sustainable and eco-friendly gardening practices

Conclusion: Embrace the practice of mindful plant care and experience the joys of connecting with nature on a deeper level. By nurturing your plants with mindfulness and presence, you’ll not only help them thrive but also cultivate your own sense of well-being and harmony with the natural world.

Interester in connecting with your plants right away? Listen to my Plant care meditation audio.

Have you tried doing some mindful plant care? What’s your experiences and realizations? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Happy gardening!
//Amanda

Spring Gardening Tips: Kickstart Your Growing Season and Spread Plant Joy

With the last days of winter still lingering, yet the soft whispers of spring beckoning, here are some tips to inspire you and ease your eager green fingers into the new growing season. Hopefully, you’ll also find ways to spread some plant love and motivation among your gardening buddies.

Share the Gardening Excitement

Being part of a community of plant enthusiasts is such a delight! There’s a unique thrill when a gardening friend shares a photo of a seed packet, a new plant, or a ripe fruit. Or when we sit down together, discussing cultivation plans, soil types, watering strategies, and recipe ideas. I challenge you to spread some gardening inspiration to a friend. It could be a picture, a message, some seeds, or even a small plant. Better yet, spend some quality time together – sowing seeds, repotting plants, visiting a nearby park, or even a trip to a garden center. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments. Remember, gardening together makes the experience even more rewarding!

Multiply Your Houseplants

A few weeks ago, my mother was repotting her indoor plants – some were divided into smaller pots while others graduated to larger ones. If you’re like us, you might not have room for lots of new pots. Why not make use of these surplus plants by gifting them to someone you care about? It’s an excellent way to say “I appreciate you” or “Sorry, I ran out of window space, can you squeeze this plant into yours?” I find that taking care of plants gifted by loved ones brings an added layer of joy to my plant care routine. So, why not share the love?

Embrace the Signs of Spring

Spring is almost here, at least in southern Sweden. It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of sowing and planting without pausing to appreciate the transformation happening around us. As nature rouses from its long winter slumber, it’s genuinely enchanting to witness the rebirth of life around us. Try to slow down and observe the small miracles of spring – the sprouting leaves, the swelling buds, the returning birds, and the awakening insects. Let’s not just be sun seekers, but also ground observers. Take time to notice and revel in the signs of spring unfolding around you.

Let’s welcome the new season with open hearts and excited green thumbs. Here’s to a fantastic growing season filled with joy, sharing, and the wonder of nature’s renewal.

Spring Gardening Tips: Kickstart Your Growing Season and Spread Plant Joy

With the last days of winter still lingering, yet the soft whispers of spring beckoning, here are some tips to inspire you and ease your eager green fingers into the new growing season. Hopefully, you’ll also find ways to spread some plant love and motivation among your gardening buddies.

Share the Gardening Excitement

Being part of a community of plant enthusiasts is such a delight! There’s a unique thrill when a gardening friend shares a photo of a seed packet, a new plant, or a ripe fruit. Or when we sit down together, discussing cultivation plans, soil types, watering strategies, and recipe ideas. I challenge you to spread some gardening inspiration to a friend. It could be a picture, a message, some seeds, or even a small plant. Better yet, spend some quality time together – sowing seeds, repotting plants, visiting a nearby park, or even a trip to a garden center. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments. Remember, gardening together makes the experience even more rewarding!

Multiply Your Houseplants

A few weeks ago, my mother was repotting her indoor plants – some were divided into smaller pots while others graduated to larger ones. If you’re like us, you might not have room for lots of new pots. Why not make use of these surplus plants by gifting them to someone you care about? It’s an excellent way to say “I appreciate you” or “Sorry, I ran out of window space, can you squeeze this plant into yours?” I find that taking care of plants gifted by loved ones brings an added layer of joy to my plant care routine. So, why not share the love?

Embrace the Signs of Spring

Spring is almost here, at least in southern Sweden. It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of sowing and planting without pausing to appreciate the transformation happening around us. As nature rouses from its long winter slumber, it’s genuinely enchanting to witness the rebirth of life around us. Try to slow down and observe the small miracles of spring – the sprouting leaves, the swelling buds, the returning birds, and the awakening insects. Let’s not just be sun seekers, but also ground observers. Take time to notice and revel in the signs of spring unfolding around you.

Let’s welcome the new season with open hearts and excited green thumbs. Here’s to a fantastic growing season filled with joy, sharing, and the wonder of nature’s renewal.