Gardening 101: The Harvest

The Harvest is the part that all farmers/gardeners look forward to. 

What a gift to be able to nurture a plant from a seed/seedling to full maturity and reap the benefits of its produce!

Photo Source

Life Lesson

1. The process to harvest is not easy, there are often setbacks, difficulties etc. Nontheless, keep doing what is necessary and keep the end in mind. It will be all worth it in the end!

• Hebrews 6:10-12 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

2. Each crop has a different way in which it produces.  Carrots and potatoes produce underground, while broccoli and sweet peppers produce above ground. Do not expect the same thing to happen for you the same way it happened for someone else. We often have no idea what 'price' a person has paid or is paying for their harvest. 

One thing is sure and that is God's promise to reward us for our obedience to Him.

• Deuteronomy 28:2-5 Obey the Lord your God. Then all these blessings will come and stay with you: You will be blessed in the city. You will be blessed in the country.Your children will be blessed. Your crops will be blessed. Your cattle will be blessed with calves and your sheep with lambs. Your basket and your kitchen will be blessed.

3.  If you plant corn, don't expect to harvest apple;  If you plant tomato, don't expect to harvest cucumber.

• Galatians 6:7 Do not be fooled: You cannot cheat God. A person harvests only what he plants.

This post concludes our Gardening 101 Series. I am encouraged to be more aware and I hope you were encouraged too.  Thanks for Reading!

Gardening 101:: Fencing

Hi Friends,


Hope you had a nice weekend!

After this post, we have one more topic to cover in the Gardening 101 Series, before wrapping up. I want you to know that I appreciate you for reading and for interacting too!  Stay tuned for the Finale.

Erecting a fence is essential if you want to protect your crop from animals devouring your crop.

Just imagine all the time, energy, and money you spent preparing the ground for planting, carefully selecting and buying your seeds, planting them, watering and watching them grow to maturity, and then an animal to comes along and eat away your plants and you are left with nothing?!!  How devastating!

I know this issue all too well; deers, rabbits and groundhogs are constant threats to our garden.

I was watching a program on Public Television recently and a farmer in South Africa was contending with baboons eating his crops.

I remember in Jamaica when I was younger, my Mom would be shewing away goats, haha! we had a fenced back yard for her garden but in the front the shrubs/flowers that grew over the front fence the goats would eat. 

It does not matter where you live, if you plant a garden I'm sure there will be one pest or the other who will eat away your hard work without conscience, if not properly guarded/fenced to keep them out.

Life Lessons

Below are a few Rhetorical Questions for personal reflection:

Do you have a 'fence' protecting your  garden spiritual life, physical health, mental health, marriage, finances, social life, children, personal relationships?

My 'Fence' is the word and promises of God.  God promises us in Malachi 3:11-12

 ^"I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty"

Who do you receive and/or seek counsel from for guidance?

Psalm 1

How blessed is the person,

    who does not take the advice of the wicked,

who does not stand on the path with sinners,

    and who does not sit in the seat of mockers.

 But he delights in the Lord’s instruction,

    and meditates in his instruction day and night.

 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,

    yielding its fruit in its season,

        and whose leaf does not wither.

He will prosper in everything he does.

 But this is not the case with the wicked.

    They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not escape judgment,

    nor will sinners have a place in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

    but the way of the wicked will be destroyed.

Gardening 101: 🎶 Lets Sing While We Garden 🎶

Hi Friends,


I just fully recovered from the flu and right after that I had to travel for work related training.

Now I am a bit more settled and will be finishing up the Gardening 101 series soon, with a just few more posts left to go.


Today, we are singing while we work garden ☺


Have you ever heard the theory that talking to plants help them grow?  Just imagine how much more singing would do?


Life Application:

I don't know about you, but Music nourishes my soul. In fact, worship music is almost always playing in my house.  It brightens my day, puts a smile on my face (sometimes dancing in my feet too) and sets the atmosphere for a joyful spirit.  We have a part to play in cultivating our environment/atmosphere.  Feeling depressed? lonely? hurt or disappointed? play some uplifting music, it does wonders for the soul.


Lets sing some gardening songs to cultivate our our souls; it's our season for break though and favor.... Do you desire the Lord to rain down his blessings in your life? How about  the flood gates of His promises to continue to manifest in our lives?  sing with me

This is my season for grace for favor This is my season to reap what I have sown ...

William Murphy

Lord, I hear of showers of blessing, 

Thou art scattering full and free; 

Showers the thirsty souls refreshing; 

Let some drops now fall on me; Lord, 

I hear of showers of blessing....

Even ME

Patrick Lundy & Ministers of Music

We've been praying, we've been sowing

Now we've crying, heaven send the rain

Send the Rain

William McDowell

Open the flood gates, in abundance
And cause your rain to fall on me
Open the flood gates, in abundance
And cause your rain to fall on me

Charles Jenkins

Gardening 101: Planting & Seed Germination

When its time to sow seeds, we will need to ensure the proper conditions in order to facilitate germination and sustained growth.

Once the seeds are sown/planted, it is vital to provide adequate water. If not watered enough, the seeds/ plant will dry out and die.

Watering regularly is one of the most crucial elements of Gardening.



Often times when a seed is planted, depending on the seed, it may take any where from a few days to several weeks for the seed to germinate and show signs of life/growth. 

Once leaves start to appear it is important to water the base/root of the plant not so much the leaves. It's the root that absorbs nutrients and moisture from the soil to promote growth.

Life Application

Germination is defined as the phase/period of time when a seed develops into a plant after a period of dormancy.

Often times when we plant seeds believe in faith for/about something, we become impatient during the germination phase.  Mainly because we can't see what is taking place under the soil in the supernatural/spiritual realm in preparation for what we are believing God to manifest in our lives.

• If we had the ability to see beneath the soil, we would notice that growth/germination manifestation is taking place it's just not visible to us in our realm as yet. 

 

•  Be patient and trust the process.

            

Another aspect to consider is sowing seeds serving others.  Many times its not uncommon to feel like the one always giving, serving, helping, reaching out.......extending yourself to others.   Do not be discouraged, the bible promises in

Galatians 6:7-9

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

   For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption,

but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 

 

 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Gardening 101:: Ground Preparation

In the last post we explored the purpose of a zoning map, which is to help us determine the best time to start sowing seeds and planting depending on your location.

The next step is to identify where to start a garden and perhaps the size, and begin preparing the ground for planting.

Preparing the ground for planting may involve removing grass and debris from the area.  Preparing the ground also involves digging and turning over the soil with a garden fork or similar tool to loosen and aerate.

                                                                            

The soil will also need to be enriched with fresh top soil, compost and/or manure in order to supply nutrients to the ground.  Without nutrient rich soil, your plants will not thrive, reach maturity or they may produce substandard harvest.


Life Lesson on Preparation: 


What life lessons can you share about preparation and its results in your life?


I  remember early in my Career, I wanted to work in a specific sector.  I made a lot of phone calls to gather information, note requirements, applied (even though I was not eligible).  In my situation it was near impossible, however I had a will and determination that I was going to have a particular job in a specific sector.  I would scout out Job Fairs and talk with sector specific recruiters from this interest of mine. I had all the knowledge but needed the right opportunity to open up.  One day, years later, the right opportunity opened up and literally fell in my lap, literally!  All the years of research, phone calls, prayers, applications eventually became a dream come true and reality for me. I prepared for it.

Gardening 101:: Zoning

The US Department of Agriculture produces a Zoning Map of all States in the US. This map serves as a guide for the best time to start planting seeds in North America;  other Countries have similar maps as well.

For example, in the map below you will notice certain locations/regions are grouped by color.  The color groups are called Zones.  Can you spot your zone in the map below? I'm in Zone 7.

Knowing your Zone will help you determine the best time to start planting for successful harvest.  The next time you purchase seeds or a plant look at the tag or instructions and you will see zoning guidelines for planting included. For example, see the package seed package below including a zone map and planting guide for when to start sowing.



Notice on the label instructions that for the same package of seed, the recommended planting time varies depending on your zone. Zone often is predicated on the seasonal changes and the timing that they will occur for each region.

 Exploring Life Lessons on Zoning:

Every person is in a different Zone phase of life (Age, Finances, Relationships, Career, Health, Spiritual, Education, Parenting, Hobbies, Personal Aspirations etc).

• Each person will advance in a certain area faster than others. The best time for one person is not necessarily the best time for you.
• You will grow and advance too, it just means that your time will come in a different season stage/phase when the conditions are more favorable for you to thrive based on your own unique circumstances. 
• Seek out and Follow Label Instructions wise counsel on the areas of life that you would like to improve/grow in.
• Attend a financial management seminar or read up and apply the principles as prescribed for debt reduction and savings.
• Read the bible and/or spiritual enlightening books or listen to your favorite teacher/preacher of the gospel for guidance and instructions on growth and maturity in Christian living.
• Attend a resume writing workshop and practice your interviewing skills or seek a mentor for Career advancement.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 There is a special time for everything.There is a time for everything that happens under heaven. There is a time to be born, and a time to die;a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. 

Gardening 101:: Introduction

Gardening has become a pseudo hobby of mine by force.  The thing is, my Mother just loves gardening and everything that has to do with dirt.  It really is an obsession of hers, and by default, I am her helper/assistant; so that's how the 'by force' part comes in.


As far back as I can remember, as a littler girl in Jamaica, my Mom had a garden.  A flower garden in the front, lots of potted plants on the veranda and in the back yard, fruit trees and vegetables were cultivated. It was no different when we migrated to America.  Even when we lived in an apartment, she had pots growing something.


When she bought our first home in America, same thing, nothing much has changed besides the climate we live in. The front of our home is a spectacle to behold in the spring, summer and fall months. Beautiful flowers are grown and arranged, some perennial and others annual. 

She receives regular compliments from passers by about the beauty of her flower garden. Mommy never fails to attribute all to the Glory of God  and always uses the opportunity to point the praises to  His Magnificence and Creation.


The back yard is where she still cultivates all kinds for food (tomatoes, green peppers, corn, hot peppers, eggplant, cabbage, kale, variety of herbs, calalloo, squash, pumpkin, potatoes, beans) and the list goes on.....every now and then she tries to see if tropical things will grow, they actually grow but as soon as the season changes they die and never produce.


I am excited to explore life lessons from being a Gardner's helper has taught and is still teaching me and looking forward to sharing in the upcoming Gardening 101 series.