Root to Bloom

A note to my son, Hawthorn, on his first birthday:

If there is one thing I can give you, it will be an abundance of love. With love, the darkness of fear diminishes, anything is possible, and you can overcome any challenges that life might throw your way.  You are magnificent, my angel, and from a foundation of love I know you can fly as high and wide as you dream.

And you have already given me so much, even at such a young age: lessons in patience, empathy, compassion; inte...

Let me first tell you the story of my chance meeting with this great plant. I was enjoying a day at the springs with my Mom - swimming, hiking, touring on the paddleboats - and in front of the bathroom pavilion there was this woman with a table set up, selling all kinds of baby plants she had cultivated from her yard. This being before I had awakened to my plant journey and all that these wonderful friends have to offer, and also quite occupied with playing in the water, I really...

Life and gardening are the same. If you neglect your duties in either, they'll fall to ruin at the mercy of the whims of outside influences, and the chances of you creating something you can be proud of, something you can feel at peace with and nourished from, will be slim.  You must be an active participant.

When you garden, you've first got to think of what you want to grow. It's important ...