Gardening Lessons

"Become a gardener with an emphasis on wonder and play." - Bill Plotkin, Nature and the Human Soul

The garden is always a great teacher for me. Most recently these little Johnny Jump-ups reminded me that letting go of tight control opens the door for wonder and surprise.

I bought Johnny Jump-up seeds from Seed Savers several years ago, and learned that they reseed themselves with a gentle generosity and reappear in surprising places in my yard (like here in the walkway between my vegetable beds). Their pretty little faces are always a welcome surprise in early spring and a reminder that imperfections can offer more delight than perfect order and structure.