The Emotional Side of Growing Seeds
Arugula seedlings
Well, when I started growing vegetable and flower seeds recently, I never expected to be confronted with emotional issues.
Starting out, I lovingly put the seed in the best germinating soil; I misted them carefully, and checked on them several times a day. I waited expectantly, practically like waiting for a newborn infant. Lo and behold the miracle happens and they pop their little green heads out, sometimes crowned by the seeds they are trying push their way out of.
Ahhhhh, They are so tiny and lovely, feathery little things, all with bright futures and I took an active part in their creation. I’m so proud!!
But…there’s so many of them! Literally hundreds! Isn’t that great! No! Okay so I was a little overzealous and thought I had to use the entire packet – why after all put them in there like that if you don’t need that many? Didn’t make sense to me.
So I diligently pored over all the gardening books I can find, twitter some of my favorite gardening buddies like BG_garden (the seed queen) and getinthegarden and several others to help me figure this thing out. So I’m supposed to do WHAT? Thin them out?
No!! I’m devastated to find out that I now have to destroy the very little lives I so nurtured and adoringly looked after. I’m not sure if I have the courage for this!
I’m traumatized with each snip of the scissors, snuffing out yet another little budding life, even though I know it’s good for the remaining plants.
Okay, I’m learning to deal with it, as we must with all difficult issues in our lives.
So back to the remaining plants that are thriving now (at the expense of the others) and I dotingly baby them along, water and fertilize them with my fantastic Fish Emulsion until they are ready to go out on their own.
What!!!! I have to put them in the garden, away from their protected environment? I have to leave them to fend for themselves (they aren’t very good at this) from visiting wildlife. To be gnawed at, dug up, hauled of and destroyed! I’m having a hard time letting go.
Look, if someone had told me about the emotional side of growing from seed I might now have had the courage. Growing seeds is not for the weak of heart!
