Elemental Activist Garden

Let me first tell you about my garden. I dreamt of one since I moved here three years ago. I deliberated over a fence because of the deer. The problem with the fence, though, is it makes the garden all for me. Next I’m putting gopher wire in the ground and maniacally laughing to anyone who can hear, “Mine, all mine!”

That is the relationship with nature I am working to overcome. I want my garden to be a co-creative project with nature, where everyone benefits. I know, pretty pie-in-the-sky why don’t we have a heart-to-heart with the gophers kind of thing, but... 

After long deliberation, we put up a fence. It was to protect the garden from deer, but also from humans with mowers. Also, it became the perfect catio for my elderly Minka who had known few moments of peace outside, thanks to Max the doodle dog next door. It is beautiful to see her stretched on the grass warming in the sun, rolling in lavender or nibbling tender herbs for her tummy. She can now  enjoy her twilight years in peace.  

So we put up the fence and I immediately planted some Calendula starts in a wine barrel. I dug some narrow beds near the fence and mixed in soil I bought from Toby’s feed barn. I planted my stockpile of flower seeds and sat down to wait and watch. 

Once I was sitting on the ground, I realized my mistake. My first impulse was to dig up what was already here and plant what I wanted. That’s not co-creative. I needed to take some time to see who was already in the garden, pay some respect. This got me into a conversation with a mustard plant I erroneously identified as a wild radish. It went like this: 

Wild Radish: How can I be a weed when I was here first? You just staked your claim to this bit of land a week ago. To me you are the weed. 

Elemental Activist: I get what you are saying.

As we sit and talk I become aware of radish’s garden kin I’m squishing with my butt. 

EActivist: As a human It is very hard to stay in compassion all the time because it seems something must die if we must live. 

WRadish: That's true. I sense your frustration. It’s different for plants because we are rooted in one place and must develop a temperament that allows us to be okay with whatever comes our way. You have developed a temperament that expects everything to be your way so you interact with the world as if this is the truth. It is one truth. I see you are developing another truth. You are curious about the give and take of nature instead of always taking or giving only when you get in return. 

EActivist: What can I give you? 

WRadish: Thanks for uncovering me to the sun. Now watch me grow. Be curious about me. Check in with me. You are not my only threat. There’s a gopher digging around my roots. Be curious about my relationship with the gopher. I love that we are having this time to talk. 

EActivist: You are so willing to love me! 

WRadish: That is my nature. 

Well, this was unexpected! I saw I could learn a lot from the beings already blessing my garden. My little garden and the relationships within reflected those of the world at large. Perhaps I can learn what I need in my garden to help restore peace in the greater Garden of Eden.