Nature Just Wants to Collaborate

the wild

Hi there, it’s Hillarie! The Wild is a pop of inspiration to get you back into nature. It’s a calming read to help you slow down, be present, and find wonder in the mundane. Now, let’s head outside for our next adventure in gardening, wildlife, and outdoor discovery!

Happy Monday, friends! How was your holiday? I went to the city to celebrate passover with my husband’s family. Over the past 11 years with him, I have learned about Jewish culture and religious practices through lots of these family events. I adore his family because they are big and connected, just like mine, but in very different ways. I grew up traditional Lutheran in the midwest, so singing with any kind of vigor or clapping during prayers was really unusual for me. Over time, I have learned some of the prayers, and the rituals have become so comforting to me. I can kinda mumble along to some of the prayers and read small bits of Hebrew.

It was a fun weekend traveling, and it was also so good to come home. First thing we did when we got home was to check on the ducks —they are still alive and quite comfortable in their new coop. My husband built it last week, and finished it minutes before we were supposed to leave town. It’s large enough for me to squat into and my 4-year-old son can stand up in it. The ducks have plenty of fresh water and food in there, so now they won’t leave the pen. I’m at a loss about whether I should do something about it, but it will have to wait until I have time to ask Google how to get ducks out of their coop. Or whether it matters if they never leave. Help me, YouTube.

My whole family walked around our yard with our neighbor, admiring the array of tulips, some close to 3 feet tall with the bright flower the size of two fists. There are gardeners who wait all year for this show, and it is truly such a brilliant thing to witness. My neighbor once owned our land and she has been a wonderful historian of the grounds. She pointed out different plants to me and I just listened, trying my best to remember dozens of common and botanical plant names—euphorbia, foxglove, lamb’s ear. Plants grow so quickly this time of year and look quite different from one week to the next. I finally started a Pinterest board to track all the plants because it is dizzying.

After my kiddos were off to bed, I did my most sacred of all chores: checking on the seedlings. It’s so rewarding to take time to notice the subtle changes in my little plants from day to day. To witness how hard they are working to just be in that moment and yet they are not in a rush to do anything. Watching something so small, spring to life and harness enough energy to generate food—now, that is absolute magic. I really wish everyone could slow down enough to see just how awesome it is to collaborate with nature. How a small amount of effort can yield something that can nourish and fill us. How amazing is that?

Planting seeds this year has been a fun, satisfying and relaxing experience. In off-chance that I have not already convinced to plant some seeds, let me leave you with a few more reasons:

1. Try foods you have never tried before: Most grocery stores carry just a few varieties of tomatoes, but there are over 10,000 on earth. This is to case for almost any produce at the store. Store produce is selected because it is highly transportable and lasts for a long time. If you grow your own food from seed, you can experience flavors that you will never see on the shelves of a grocery store!

2. Let go of expectations and perfection: Nature reminds us that nothing is perfect. When I let go of my expectations and lean into curiosity in the garden, I am able to give my time and energy without resentment—yes, it is possible to resent plants. Now I simply do my best to attend to the plants, and notice the conditions that make them thrive. I have killed lots of plants this year, but plenty more are doing quite well. It can be hard to move on from the losses, but seeds also allow you to plant some back-up just for this reason. And if you don’t need them all, give them to a neighbor!

3. Grow things that inspire you: When you go to get your seeds, get things that will grow well in your growing zone AND that make you excited to go to your garden. There is nothing more disappointing than pouring time and energy into a big plant zucchini plant and then realizing you only don’t really like zucchini. Pick things that you want to eat and that give you joy. And if you end up not enjoying what you grow, give it to a neighbor! Who doesn’t need a little act of kindness these days?

The things I am most excited about right now are my lemon cucumbers, pineapple ground cherries, and arugula! More sprouts are popping up every day, and I am able to notice subtle differences between the plants, even at an early stage. It is literally awesome to give a little, trust the process, and watch nature show me what it means to collaborate. Pure creation with no expectations.

Okay, now you tell me: what are you are going to plant this year? I hope you try some seeds just to experience how willing nature is create something incredible. Have fun in your garden, friends. Take care, be kind, and talk soon,

Hillarie