How Does Your Garden Grow?

By Sandra

This spring our family decided to plant a container garden. We thought it would provide a few practical lessons in agriculture, so we decided on small tomato plants, green and red pepper plants, and baby lettuces. I am not a gardener, don’t particularly care for indoor plants, and certainly don’t have a trademark green thumb with regard to my yard shrubs. Despite my lack of experience, we decided to try this modern “Victory” garden, a knock-off from the popular U.S. garden from World War II.

The critter that posed a real threat to our veggie harvest initially surfaced in the preparation stage. We visited the nursery and saw darling little green stalks of all varieties. We decided on the particular ones we’d have a space for and what they would look like as they grew. Our vision for a blended family of greens and reds began to bud in our hearts. When we arrived home to visualize where our container should be situated, how the angle of the sunlight would reach the crop, and the best way to negotiate liquid feedings, we were confronted with some unsolicited questions. We were being visited by the four-legged, furry tailed, buck-toothed species dubiousino plethoranius , commonly known as “Doubt.” This adorable rabbit tried to lead us down some unmarked trails by posing questions like, “Do you really think you can do this?” and “The neighbors are going to laugh when they see what you’re trying to do” and, my favorite, “Have you consulted experts and received approval for this?”

Fortunately, we stayed on course with our plans to purchase, plant, and fertilize the garden we envisioned. Our next visitor made his debut on the agriculture scene many years ago. You might call him “Garden Granddaddy” because he used to till and hoe in his own backyard. Garden Granddaddy is a bit too rusty to plant his own crops now, but he is wise enough to recognize a green-behind-the-ears gardener when he sees one, especially if it’s his own daughter. The containers we selected for our tender stalks were plastic, round baby pools, because they were inexpensive and convenient for the garden gal who is of the “No Time to Till” variety. Garden Granddaddy suggested we drill holes into the bottom of the pools for adequate draining. This was sage advice. Without it, we may have discovered rotting roots from overly hydrated soil, and stagnant, immature veggies.

Soon, our plants were growing. I couldn’t believe they were thriving, even under the care of a novice like me. They seemed to like their nursery surroundings of sunlight and blue skies, with morning or evening waterings, and lots praise for their progress. “Look at those flowers!” and “I can see a small pepper forming!” as well as “Wow, they really like those containers!” seemed to be the most frequent remarks. These affirmations seemed to provide extra nutrients the wonder fertilizer couldn’t. One day, however, a neighbor asked “Do you think they’re really going to produce vegetables?” My response was, “What? What do you mean?” All of a sudden, I knew that furry rabbit had returned. At first, I questioned my lack of experience all over again. But quickly after, I sent that rabbit back to the woods where it belonged. After all, the results speak. My fledgling peppers and tomatoes stalks were now 2 feet high, adorned with blooms, and they were loosely hugging the stakes I’d sunk in, so they wouldn’t have poor posture. Their leaves were healthy, the lettuces unmarred by any kin to Peter Rabbit, and they truly looked like they were stretching their necks up toward the heavens with self-assuredness.

The vegetables aren’t fully mature yet; it’s only July, after all. But I’m confident that we can see this through with successful results. As we do our part, providing rich soil for growth, a little TLC and some weeding, we know God does his part to co-labor in this growing season with us. We have determined not to allow Doubt to graze in our garden, because we know that offering him even a brief hospitality can undermine the yield of our precious harvest. It’s exciting to see that this is true with our homeschool crop as well. As we continue to plan, teach, adjust, and encourage, we know that Jesus co- labors with us. He provides the miracle nutrients that cannot be purchased in any store. He gives us the grace we need to weather any season we find ourselves in. And, when we seek his wisdom, he causes us to flourish. That’s the lesson of the real victory garden.