Sunflower Wisdom

Nature has something to teach us. Always.

Last week, she spoke through sunflowers. The sunflowers we planted in the greenhouse had grown rapidly, towering over other tiny seedlings. But recently, the sunflowers looked as if they were stressed out. Exhausted. Roots reaching for more space, more water, more something.

So, we transplanted them in a deeper flat with more room to spread out. And we moved them to a place sure to get ample water from the watering system. And within a couple of days, the sunflowers looked better than ever. Growing tall, confident, beautiful. Acting more like themselves again.

And how often to we find ourselves - or others in our lives - stressed out, exhausted, needing more space and care? And how often do we slow down, to assess what we or others need to be healthy and whole? And then, how often do we actually take simple action to care for ourselves and others?

Listen to the sunflowers. They offer us lessons in compassion and simple acts of kindness. Compassion for ourselves, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, our families.

In other news, our first plantings - broccoli, kale, collards, kohlrabi - have been patiently waiting to enter the garden. They've been hanging out in our new cold frame, which provides a transition space between the nurturing greenhouse and the harsh reality of life in the garden. (So maybe the cold frame is a bit like college... an inbetween prepration for the "real deal"?)

Once our fields dry out a bit from the recent downpours, we'll sprinkle them with nourishing compost, rake our beds, and provide new homes for our plants and seeds. Spring is moving along!