Sunday, May 30, 2010

Gut Gardening


A word about intuition. I will begin with a small caveat, I do have a background in horticulture, although not by any means extensive, I did work professionally a looooong time ago. I know some basic things, like the difference between an annual and a perrenial, or the latin for the virginia creeper, (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). But there is a lot I don't know, A LOT. I have many gardening books and while they are necessary they can also be overwhelming, especially when you are just beginning.

I have taken the radical step of starting a "gut garden". To learn all about this process please go here: http://www.perelandra-ltd.com/Gut_Gardening_W4594.cfm

Recently, I have accepted that I am a person that operates better in my world by using my intuition as my primary guide and tool. When I plan too much I can become overly controlling, indecisive and overwhelmed. I slip in to what's known as" monkey mind" amongst those who meditate. I am taking the radical step of trying this process, and I'll let you know how it goes.

This photo is of my most favourite flower in the universe. The Peony. I love the magnificance of their blooms. I love the way the buds, are perfect, tight, spheres that explode in to this mammoth, loveliness that is so splendid that peonies often faint from the weight of their own beauty; once they bloom they are often kissing the grass.

I will not, alas, be able to plant one on my balcony, but sometimes the universe provides. Sometime ago I had mentioned my adoration of this flower to a woman who is a patient at the Naturopathic clinic I manage. And yesterday she cut me a bouquet from her own garden and presented it to me at work. How lucky am I? Heaven.

Friday, May 14, 2010

The impetus


I am an old gardener in a new gardener's body. I recently moved to a high-rise, the antithesis of what I craved in a home. For me I like the ground level charm of an old house with wide plank slanted floors and the patina of a by-gone era. But I also found it difficult to get the synthesis of character, outdoor space and a well-managed building on my budget. Rent is expensive in Toronto, especially if you love to live alone. So, I found this building in a great part of town and VOILA, I am in a high-rise and much to my surprise I am loving it.

My intention for this blog is to record my journey starting a garden on my balcony, to record my thoughts, the process, and the places it takes me. I will not be giving gardening advice. I have long wanted to grow my own herbs, flowers and vegetables.

And I love the beauty that a garden inspires, I love how you can grow a plant and how that can extend to inspiration in a vast array of areas; cooking, art, community, activism, healing and above all meaning. The journey starts on my 20 foot (yes, I scored) balcony, but I do forsee it extending into other areas of my life that are abundant with meaning. I leave you with an image of the view from the balcony, yes it's in winter. But it represents the start of this process as I took it on New Year's day 2010 when I moved in.