The Wisdom of Growing Things

Asked why they spend so much time, money, and energy in their gardens, most folks will explain that gardening is not only an aesthetic and physical outlet, but a spiritual pursuit as well. Gardening is dealing with the forces of life—the cycle of creation, death, and re-creation. A gardener can’t help but feel more attuned to God in the garden “than anywhere else on earth.”

It is no accident, they might point out, that most ancient accounts of creation are set in a garden. It isn’t just a nice venue for a great story, as in the Bible, where God creates then walks with the first man and woman “in the cool of the evening.” A garden is a symbol of hope, growth, creativity, and the persistence of the life force.

Grounded in the Garden offers first-rate, thoroughly researched information on over two dozen aspects of gardening while exploring each as a metaphor for personal and spiritual growth. For example, the chapter on composting not only explains how to and why we should compost. It goes on to compare composting to ‘recycling” the mistakes and missteps in our lives. By forgiving ourselves and realizing that our mistakes are often fertile ground for future growth, we can grow from the very things that we’re most ashamed of.

With the resurgence of interest in gardening as a creative outlet, Grounded in the Garden: the Wisdom of Growing Things is a book that will be enjoyed and passed on from reader to reader. An indispensable resource for gardeners or a gift for gardening friends, Grounded in the Garden will make a valuable contribution to the gardening library.