avatarHermione Wilds Writes

Summary

An individual passionately describes their year-round process of nurturing multiple gardens, from planting seeds to enjoying the blooming flowers and collecting seeds for the next season, inspired by a nature prompt.

Abstract

The author of the web content, presumably a gardener, shares a personal account of their meticulous gardening routine, which involves nurturing various gardens throughout the seasons. Beginning with sowing seeds and patiently waiting for the first sprouts, the author takes pride in cultivating a diverse array of plants, including Nigella and Alcea, which grow to impressive heights and provide a habitat for bees. The narrative emphasizes the cyclical nature of gardening, with the author collecting seeds in autumn to plant for the following year. The piece is written in response to a nature prompt by Sahil Patel and acknowledges other related works that capture the beauty of nature and wildlife.

Opinions

  • The author takes a deeply personal and nurturing approach to gardening, viewing it as a year-round labour of love.
  • There is a sense of satisfaction and joy in witnessing the growth and blooming of the plants they have cared for, particularly the towering Alcea and the Nigella with its brilliant blue flowers.
  • The author values the role of gardens in supporting local wildlife, specifically mentioning the importance of the Alcea's red flowers as a source of pollen for bees.
  • The act of gardening is presented as a reflective and restorative activity, with the author finding peace in putting the gardens to bed in November and reminiscing about the season passed.
  • The author recommends two other works that resonate with their experiences and provide further insights into the beauty and significance of nature and wildlife.

Gardens I Nurture

Second week of nature prompt

Nigella. Grown from seed. Photo by author.

I nurture gardens. Week in and week out, I nurture the gardens in my neighbourhood. I grow from seed, patiently waiting a year for the first short stems of the flowers. For me, it is not one particular garden that comes to mind, but all the gardens which I nurture all year round.

Photograph is by the author

Then, a year later, I remove the seedlings from the pot and I plant out.

Grown from seed. Alcea. Photo by author.

I watch as the Alcea blooms upwards reaching heights of 5 or 6 feet. In the autumn, I collect the seeds and plant again.

All photographs are by the author

The Nigella is the same. I plant the black seeds in the autumn and they bloom and grow before November is through lasting till they pick up in the spring and grow flowers of brilliant blue to compliment the towering foxglove:

Photo by author

And the Alcea’s red, replete with pollen, food for the bees:

Alcea. Grown from seed. By the author.

Now that November is here, I can rest and remember after putting the gardens and flowering perennials to bed. It is time to crunch through the autumn leaves.

Written as a response to this prompt from Sahil Patel.

Shout out to two good reads:

What beautiful photographs to accompany the memories here in ‘Growing Up in The Garden’. Libby Shively McAvoy

and, another one full up with amazing photographs of animals by Kerrie Gutierrez-Diaz

Reciprocal
Nature
Nature Prompt
Flowers
Reflections
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