SUNLIGHT AND SEEDS


    The growing of the vegetables and flowers in my garden never stop growing in the cycle of the sun, the wind, the rain and the day-night movement. As much as I plan to organize the seeds, I am not in control of the vegetables and flowers because I support them by filling the containers with soil, and planting the seeds, and watering the soil within the confines of my backyard garden space.
    Because my backyard garden is not an open space that receives the maximum amount of sunlight during the day, the growing season varies from spot to spot in the backyard. One spot receives an abundance of sun in the morning and the afternoon, and one spot receives sun in the morning, and another spot received sun in the afternoon, while another spot barely receives any sun at all.
    The sunlight is the giver of life, so that it is natural that the amount of sunlight equals the potential ability of each seed to grow in an optimal manner. Taking into account the potential of each seed within the sunlight potential of each garden spot, I am adjusting to finding the right seed to fit the sunlight potential in all the backyard.
    I was thankful for the sun, even if I had to measure the sunlight potential for the different corners. However, in 1816, the volcanic eruption of Mount Tambor created a year without summer sunlight. All over the world, the lack of sunlight created famine because crops were unable to grow. The Mount Tambor volcanic eruption and previous volcanic eruptions had created the perfect storm for cloud cover blowing the sun’s ability to reach the surface of the planet.
    Fortunately, I had sunlight. I just needed to understand the sunlight spots in my backyard when I planted my vegetables. I planted my vegetables from seeds direct in the soil, but this method was not working in certain spots in the garden. After an internet search, many of my fellow urban gardeners were seeding in February and March inside, and then transplanting the sprouting plants in April and May to their outside places. Because these transplanted plants had height as a result of their full and spreading leaves, they had a greater chance of receiving sunlight, and thereby increasing their potential for mature growth.
    Nevertheless, after talking so much about the power of sunlight, I have also concluded that some seeds are not able to grow. I do not know if the seeds themselves are ‘dead’ or lacking in life, or if they are unable to manifest their will to grow because of something that I have not provided to them. For example, I planted many Kabocha seeds that I received from a Kabocha squash that I ate. Surprisingly, many of these seeds did not grow. In order to determine if the seeds will grow next gardening season, I discovered that there is a water test. After 10 or 15 minutes, if the seeds sink, they will grow. If the seeds float, they will not grow.
    Then, I planted 2 rows of Rainbow Chard in May, and most of the Rainbow Chard grew, which I harvested. However, one Rainbow Chard seed is growing in July. At first, I was puzzled as to why this happened, but then I accepted it as an act of love delayed.
    Right now, I know the sun will shine. I know the sun will reach my garden. I am grateful for the immense power of the sun as it brings life to every corner of my garden., and to the world at large. In the wisdom of the sun, I am learning how to participate in the process of co-creating a garden.






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