Petite Peppermint, Teany Tomatoes, and Small Squash
Welcome back!
Have you ever wondered how something so small can become so big?
For anyone new to gardening, you might be surprised to see how tiny seeds are or the diversity of size, colour, and germination rates. The spaghetti squash that I planted was one of the largest seeds but has 100 days before it bears fruit. On the other hand, a zucchini seed has almost the same size and shape of seed but requires half the growing time, 50 days before it will bear fruit. I planted over 100 tomato plants, and yet – as I write this – some of the plants are 9”-10” tall, while others are just 2”-3” tall.
What is it that causes one seed to germinate and spout so much faster than another? What happens that allows something so small and seemingly innocuous to be able to grow so fast (hundreds of times its size in only a month) and to bear fruit, to be able to multiply a hundredfold in a few short months? Why did almost none of the zucchini plants germinated while every single cucumber did? They were in the same conditions. Similar questions can be asked of people. What is lacking from this persons’ life so that they can achieve their full potential? How do my actions those around me? What small changes ways can I help to improve their living conditions? How am I helping create a healthy, happy, live-giving environment for myself and those around me?
The miracle of life encapsulates in it all the beauty and complexity of the world we live in. The grandeur of a 5000-year-old tree and the smallest lavender seed, this is the Creator’s invitation to us to contemplate the beautiful gift we have been given. We have a whacky world full of whimsy and wonder. Each little piece of it tells us a little piece of who God is; the Creator and Lover of Life.
My grandparents and my mother instilled in my two brothers and me, a love of exploring and reflecting on nature. Neither of my brothers are regular church attendees. Still, both can speak about the beauty of our world, the importance of respecting natural laws and limits, the calm and peace that comes from spending time with creation, and the inherent good found in the creepiest crawly arachnid or invertebrate (spiders and worms).
We understand and can break down the molecular reactions when a seed germinates and begins to grow. We know the perfect temperatures, soil compositions, PH levels, and even the wavelengths of light are best for particular plants. Being aware of these helps us understand the how but not the why. Why do we have so many kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, or basil? Why do some seeds grow fast and strong while others wither away and die? Why are beans furry and cucumbers prickly? Why do we have so much beauty in the world and so much despair? Why do we have so much abundance and be so greedy? Why do we throw food away when so many are starving?
Something magical happens when new life takes root. There is a moment, perhaps several, where it seems like anything is possible. The excitement I feel when I see the first tinniest sprout poke its minuscule green head out from the soil. The hope that swells inside is infectious and bleeds into every aspect of my life. This is the real magic of the seed. The gift of hope, the dreams of tomorrow. All from some dirt, water, and a seed.
My grandpa planted tens of thousands of plants in his lifetime, and the wonderment of this never faded from his expression. Let us allow ourselves to be touched by the mystery of new life this spring during this Easter season. Let us be open to the wonder and whimsy of the world. Let us feel the Magic that surrounds us as an expression of God’s love for us. As we contemplate this mystery and spend time thinking about the “why’s” in our lives, let us be open to sharing this love and wonder with all we meet.
This May-Long weekend, Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 I will be selling these plants as a fundraiser for the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you are interested in pre-ordering, pictures, quantities, and prices will be posted this weekend (May 9th). You can email me to let me know you are interested.
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