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Saplings of Strength and Survival

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Acorns are the seeds that grow saplings of strength that survive in times of crises and chaos.

Saplings are often overlooked when we think about the landscape. We adore the gift of shade that trees like maples and oaks provide. The autumnal leaf color is a visual gift as we anticipate the nakedness of nature during the winter months.

A SEEDS TALE

In the midst of the forest, seeds fall. Seeds fall, laying in stillness until conditions are right.

Acorns covered by leaves, tree debris or earth scattered by the wind help saplings grow. The best natural mulch on earth!

As the season’s change, the seed is covered by the loving leaves or natural debris. The seed sometimes awakens from within and sets down roots. If it is a tree, the roots produce top growth and become saplings.

SAPLINGS SETTING ROOTS

Saplings of strength happen when roots find optimal conditions for good growth…and survival.

I observed the growth of a favorite sapling which I see daily. While walking my dog about 12 years ago, she would love to eat acorns. I wondered if this was a good idea or not. No matter how hard I tried to wrestle them from Aminia’s mouth, the acorns were her treat. The crunching sound from that happy face was hilarious.

There was one area where an abundance of acorns fell. I noticed an acorn, nestled among crunched acorn caps had taken root. Seeing the two leaves signaled that it had found a home. I placed two handfuls of mulch in a baggie. Carrying it to the site, I covered its base. I wanted to keep an eye on this baby. How long would it take an oak sapling to grow into a majestic species if left alone? This was my prized sapling, the same age as Aminia. I committed to caring for this sapling, making sure that no large branches fell to hurt or harm it.

Time passed and I admired the growth from year to year. Amazed at the silent strength of this oak sapling, it began to branch out and reach towards the sky.

The year Aminia passed away, I purposely did not walk that way for 6 months. I knew the sapling was standing tall, on her own strength, firmly rooted in her native soil. Funny thing, I had to allow the memory of Aminia to settle inside my inner garden. The seed of what type of dog would I look for was planted and had to take root as well.

The sapling called Precious that has given me the strength to survive whatever comes my way. The exact dog I was looking for.

Precious and I now take the daily walk past this same sapling. However, now it is a young tree. Increasing branches and a widening trunk is a comforting sight to see. It has weathered the storm of severe drought, extreme temperatures, and heavy rains. I have seen children hugging its trunk, playing games around it and yet, it still grows.

During this time of uncertainty, we need to be like saplings of strength. Standing strong, staying in place, and considering the alternatives to our communities if we do not. Putting down our roots by reading the books we were going to read one day or re-connecting with our families is a good thing. Reacquainting ourselves with our homes or even starting a garden are great ways to patiently pause.

I am like that oak sapling. Exhibiting strength in the midst of this chaos and prayerfully will be a survivor. How are you showing the strength of a sapling in your home or community? Are you the sapling that will survive after the chaos is over?

Waiting to walk past our sapling that stands for strength…and survival.

Sinking my roots in thoughts of my garden,

Teri, from the Cottage In the Court

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Being Present In The Moment

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Being present in the moment helps one appreciate the act of living.

Being present in the moment is a state of mind that might be difficult at the moment. Having to practice social distancing after 4 days gives me a reason to pause. I am such a people person. The reality of more distancing is truly something to think about. I long to see my grandsons, daughters, and co-workers. It really hit today when my oldest daughter said she would drive by just so she could see my face. I gulped, as my tears welled up in my eyes. Those words hit home. The sober reality of being present in the moment was even more important.

Elizabeth Gilbert recently shared some seeds of wisdom on being present in the moment. A practice shared with her by a friend when she was in need. As she shared, the feeling of being sad, frightened or anxious can take us to a place of uncertainty. This particular practice of being in the present is quite simple. 5-4-3-2-1can be practiced throughout the day. I did it several times a day this week and realized this was worth sharing. This is a practice that can be done by anyone and anywhere.

5- CAN YOU SEE THINGS?

Being present starts by counting five things that you see around you. As I wandered through my garden, here is what I noticed.

I saw my Yoshino Cherry Tree with her amazing blooms in my back yard…
One of the midseason peonies has broken ground. A visual treat that made me smile…
The possibly coral bloom of a rescued Camellia was almost fully opened today. I think it is more of a pink color than a coral. I am ok with this. Being in the moment caused me to gasp with glee.
A simple daffodil in the midst of a border I am renovating as I have time. I paused digging when I saw the foliage and gave it time to bloom.
The seedlings that sat in the planter until the proper time finally broke through the soil.

4 – CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

What 4 things can you hear? Two brothers, neighborhood children, were outside riding their bikes. This was a pleasant sound earlier today. It meant there was human interaction – a sound I have missed this week.

The sound of someone with a leaf blower. People can use this time to catch up on last-minute seasonal tasks. Being present in the moment means we do not have to rush right now.

The gentle breeze created the sound of nature’s wind chimes. To hear the subtle rattle in the trees helped clear my thoughts. Clearing one’s mind is a great way to practice being in the present.

What sounded like small jackhammers was actually a chorus of woodpeckers. The art of hunting for food in the deadwood of large trees stood out in the otherwise quiet of the day.

3 – FEELING THREE THINGS

It was a bit challenging deciding on just three things that reflected what I could feel. There was so much in the garden that I could feel.

I love the feel of soil between my fingers. Warm to the touch in the pots, yet colder when grasped from the ground below.

Breathing deeply, in and out, allowed me to feel my lungs expand. The feeling of the crisp air as I breathed in was refreshing to my spirit. I was so thankful to be able to experience this. The chilly air was quite refreshing and helped my body maintain a balanced temperature as I raked last year’s leaves from my walkway. Practicing being present in the moment definitely has kept me in a positive mental place.

A thorn caught my sleeve which caused me to notice the egg sack of a praying mantis.

As I reached under a rose bush, a thorn caught my sleeve. Working to release my sleeve, I noticed an ootheca. More commonly known as a praying mantis egg case. When the female praying mantis creates this protective case it is soft. Eventually, it hardens for the safekeeping of the babies within. Touching this crispy outer shell with its ridges, created a feeling of hope. I caressed it and hoped that they would all survive and be a part of my garden’s eco-system. Not cleaning up the garden has its virtues. I have found more surprises throughout the garden.

2 – TWO FOR YOU

Focusing on two things that I could smell was one of the easiest things to practice. The scent of a frequently used body oil rode the breeze every time I moved.

Oak Moss by Anu Prestonia is a hydrating body oil with an earthy scent. As I raked, my body warmed up and the scent intensified and immersed me into a good mental space. This fragrance allows me to be present at this very moment.

My herb garden offers wonderful fragrances. As I dream of warmer days, I crush the leaves of this oregano and rub onto my hand. The scent of the garden invokes a sense of calm.

The herb pot by my mailbox is coming to life. When I touch the emerging oregano leaves, the scent causes me to daydream. I imagine cooking a nice pot of pasta sauce. Using fresh herbs from the garden like this oregano, fresh basil, or even leaves from my Bay Leaf plant takes me to a place of calm.

1 – JUST PICK ONE

Finally, the one thing I can taste right as I practice being in the moment is ginger. The slightly spicy, tangy ginger is a staple in my world. I cut a few slivers to chew throughout the day. Fresh ginger is considered an anti-inflammatory, and it tastes good to me. I even bruise a knob of ginger and put it in my water overnight for flavor. A simple act worth trying.

Practicing this method will help in being present in the moment. How do you practice being here..present at this very moment? Let’s continue to stay in touch as social distancing has been rescribed for each of us.

Time to sow more seeds in this period of social distancing.

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Self-Care In Anticipation of Embracing The Garden

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Self-care at this time of world-wide chaos is so important.

Self-care in a time of chaos and crises is a good thing. It does not matter if you are a Weekend warrior, one who lightly dabbles in the garden, or employed fulltime. In the wonderful world of horticulture, taking care of your self is key. Social distancing is actually a thing. For some of us who thrive on personal interaction, this is a gamechanger. I am one of those people lovers. It is even more critical at this time for me to practice self-care.

SELF CARE DAY STARTERS

Starting the day with fresh blooms and your favorite warm beverage is an excellent way to practice self-care of the senses.

Mental self-care should be the first line of defense. Not being around people to laugh, share stories and connect can be hard. Setting the stage for positive thoughts is the perfect way to start the day. Gather a bloom or a few from your garden. No garden – OH MY!! Consider finding a photo on-line of your favorite bloom, print, and place where you can see it. Why not print several and place them throughout your residence. I would consider this positive placemaking. Focus and imagine the fragrance, the feel of the leaves, or the texture of the stem. This is a positively simple way to embrace the start of the day.

MENTAL SELF-CARE

Organizing your daily tasks could prove crucial to a productive day.

Becoming overwhelmed can be a trap. Look at your business tools and prioritize the items of importance. We all have a list of low priority items that we almost never get to. What better time to do them? Unfinished projects or paperwork can big down the mind and affect the spirit.

Need to see your co-workers? Consider video conferencing. It is a terrific way to stay connected and collaborate. Even if it isn’t business, check in with your co-workers or clients virtually. Keep each other uplifted. This will speak volumes when the chaos dies down.

This is a perfect time to delve into those projects or reports that require research. I find that uninterrupted time for thorough research is time well spent. Organizing your files or purging reading material is productive as well.

In my neck of the woods, I had a “Snow Pile” of things for a snowy day or blizzard. Since we had no snow, I renamed it my “Moment of Chaos” file. Mental self-care is addressing those things that linger in the back of our minds.

PHYSICAL SELF-CARE

One of my favorite self-care phrases is “Make time to enjoy life”. I adopted this phrase as I listened to my co-workers talk about time. Work, life balance is one of the hardest things to do. I was one of those “always busy” people at one point in my life as well.

One day, while sharing my calendar with my Dad, I realized that I rarely stopped. I seldom paused to really enjoy what I was doing. There was always a deadline or I had to quickly rush from event to event. I considered it never allowing myself to be bored. The act of taking time for self-care just didn’t happen or not often enough.

One evening while talking with my Dad, he shared three words with me. He said, “Just Be Still”. “Teres, You are just going and doing. It is impossible for you to really enjoy the moment. Just be still…” What wonderful words of wisdom. I miss my Dad immensely. One of the gifts he left me were these three words. When I start going, going, and planning to go more – I pause. Taking moments to breathe deeply, I am still. If only to reassess the importance of my why – I am still.

Taking time to get outside is a great way to practice physical self-care. As a gardener – stuck indoors with my garden just out of reach as I work indoors – I am dreaming. Dreaming of ending my day and walking outside to make use of the remaining daylight hours. Sitting all day is not healthy for anyone. Try leg lifts, Tai Chi from your chair, or planking at least once an hour. Don’t just sit and do nothing, do some squats, lift a hand weight or two. Something as simple as walking up and down the steps inside can make a difference. Self-care means coming out on the other side of this National crisis healthier – mentally and physically.

What perfect time to use a moisturizing mask on your face. Indoor heat can be drying to the skin. No-one will see you in your face mask as you make time to take care of your self. After a day of sitting in sedentary solitude, run a warm bath and soak. A bit of aromatherapy, exfoliating salt scrubs, and soft music, will go a long way in reducing stress or angst.

One final tip – meditate and be Thankful. Meditate about the things you are grateful for. Your family, your pet, a job, or even your greenspace. Think about how gorgeous your garden will be when we get through this. Start some seeds or just go to your favorite garden center and practice just being. Being able to make the choice of embracing the ability to realize all is not lost. Things are certainly a mess right now, but we know that change will come. Even after a long grey winter, looking forward to the signs of Spring is always a welcome relief.

Don your sun hat, open up the door, receive your dose of Vitamin D and boldly practice a bit of Self-care.

Here are a few fun resources to check out that focus on self-care:

Tiny Buddha, Habitsbuzz, or The Little Book of Self Care. Each of these references offers great ways to get started.

Looking forward to getting outside and into the garden. Are you?

Dreaming of better days and practicing self-care,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Paw Paws and Edible Landscaping

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Paw Paws and edible landscaping are quite popular. Paw Paws are also known as Asimina triloba, a small deciduous tree native to the eastern U.S. and Canada. They produce a large, yellowish-green to brown fruit. The fruit tastes amazing!!

Paws Paws and the book Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist is a necessity for gardeners everywhere. It is a good thing that I have no room (at the moment) to grow Paw Paw trees. I do have room to practice other things that Michael Judd writes about in this informative book.

WHO IS THIS MICHAEL JUDD?

Michael Judd is a 20+ year practitioner of the art of permaculture and ecological design. His projects demonstrate how we can include diversity in our landscapes naturally. Michael is the founder of Ecologia, Edible & Ecological Landscape Design and Project Bona Fide. This project is an international non-profit that supports agro-ecology research. Michael has brought attention to food security across the world.

Originally from the lower part of Appalachia, Michael grew up just outside of Washington, DC. Everyone had backyard gardens and native trees could be found in the wild. At 23 years of age and a bit of traveling, Michael realized his calling to teach permaculture far and wide. This man knows his stuff!

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING WITH A PERMACULTURE TWIST

Need guidance for creatively enhancing your landscape? Considering adding a bit of food to the garden? What about using your garden debris to enhance the existing soil? This IS the book for you. From start to finish, Michael manages to engage the reader and provide basic instruction for the DIY person.

The Chapter on Rainwater harvesting, Swales and Rain Gardens is very important. With the lack of rain, yellowing plants, and high water bills, we need these garden must-haves NOW. Other chapters include topics like Food Forests, Earthen Ovens, Fungi and more.

The Herb Spiral is aesthetically pleasing and is a great way to enhance the garden year-round.

One of my favorite chapters was the one on Herb Spiral, The Ultimate raised bed. This will be my first project from this book and I can’t wait! The benefits of creating a Herb Spiral are many. It is a space saver, easy to water, raised planting bed of sorts. Herb spirals create a micro-climate for growing and lessens the need to bend over.

As I am aging, the Herb spiral is an ideal idea for these reasons and more. Did you know you do NOT need a dedicated place in the garden for an herb spiral? You can build this on a patio or any solid surface. With some granite blocks, cardboard, and soil/compost mix, a spiral can be built. I dare say there is ALWAYS a creative way to garden. Michael Judd proves this with the Herb Spiral.

The other intriguing chapter features how to build a Hugelkultur. Considered to be mounds of fertility, they just make sense.

Hugelkultur. I bet you can’t say that ten times really fast, but I bet you can follow the easy instruction found in this book.

Hugelkultur benefits will outweigh the comments from your uninformed neighbors. Top-notch water retention, warm soil, and a creative way to build the soil are just a few benefits. Recycling organic matter in place (I LOVE THIS), and bending over less, just imagine!

By imitating the forest floor, a hugelkultur makes use of woody material found in the garden. The retention of moisture allows debris to decay, which feeds the nutrient cycle and any plants that are nearby. This just makes sense right?? The taller the hugelkultur, the better. A one-foot hugelkultur will turn a difficult area into a retreat for your plant material. Some of my plants that did not survive the drought will help start my first hugelkultur. What a great idea for anyone.

For those of us who are beyond the cutting and hauling away stage of life, what a dream project!

ABOUT THOSE PAW PAWS…

Signage the greeted attendees of the PawPaw Festival held at Ecologia in Frederick, Maryland. A perfect setting for Paw Paws and Edible landscaping.

After visiting one of the largest Paw Paw growers in Westminster, Maryland, Michael began growing Paw Paws locally. On September 21, 2019, I attended the Long Creek Annual Paw Paw Festival. I had the opportunity to taste the different cultivars of Paw Paw. One of the first things I took advantage of was sampling Susquehanna, Shenandoah, Alleghany, and Rappahannock Paw Paws. Each cultivar was served in chunks at the entrance to the festival. All of them were different in taste and soothing to the tongue. I cannot remember which one was more appealing to me. I was on a mission to find the Paw Paw ice cream. A little cream, little milk, and some sugar make this ice cream a delicious treat on a hot September day.

Believe me…the Paw Paw ice cream was delicious. I even shared it with my little friend!

There were many vendors at this Paw Paw Festival…

Swallowtail Forest Farm had some fresh-picked tomatoes, peppers, a few cuttings of Elderberry plants, and fresh flowers. He was sold out of Paw Paw seedlings.
In a child-friendly environment, the perfect playground had been arranged for the children to play safely and freely. This just warmed my heart.
Between tours of the site, Michael Judd donning sharp glasses and a distinctive hat. He answered questions on paw paws and edible landscaping.

I tasted two types of pureed paw paw with maple syrup on bread cooked in an on-site earthen oven. Instructions to build an earthen oven can be found in Michael Judd’s book. There was also a gourmet sampler from Acornucopia & Sylvan Canopy. I tasted Acorn shortbread, persimmon, roasted chestnuts, cheese, and sorghum. Some of the food was delicious, while others were a bit interesting. I should have tried the pizza as well.

I highly suggest reading this book. Consider Edible Landscaping With A Permaculture Twist, if you love paw paws, or if you want to surprise a gardener. This wonderful human called Michael Judd is sharing and showing us the way to creatively curated edible landscapes!

To find out more about Ecologia, Edible & Ecological Landscape Design, click here

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Snow Signaling Winter’s Arrival

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The first snow of 2018 in the DMV…

Snow…in early November has signaled seasonal changes all around me. As I drove into work and crossed the DC line the flurries thickened. The snowflakes became swollen with moisture and gently slid down the glass of Ms. Red. I could hear the pellets of sleet tap dancing in the silence of the morning. Traffic was light and I seized the opportunity to roll down the windows and listen…focusing on listening to the sound of the season rolling in. Seasonal weather silently arrived in the Nation’s Capitol and it was quite a surprise.

Snow has a calming affect on the first day. Adorning evergreen branches with a dusting like confectioners sugar. This was a vision that would most likely be seen in January. Predictions call for an early winter this year. Measurable precipitation is also in the forecast, if we believe the meteorologists..

Snow gracing the branches of the Gingko tree outside my office window…

As a child, my wish for my birthday was always the same – snow…and a lot of it. Mom would have been delighted today with the sight of this morning’s weather. I imagined hearing her say, “Teri…your birthday must be near because it is snowing outside.” My Mom’s voice is like music to my ears. I would quickly don my outside winter attire and bolt out the door to walk to school. Oh how I miss those days.

Mom would make grilled cheese sandwiches and double wrap them in aluminum foil with a baggie of molasses. Cooking hot dogs in the Hot Dog Hut, adding a touch of mustard on the roll with a sprinkle of onions , made me the hit of the cafeteria. The foil, always double wrapped kept these special lunches warm. Mom was a woman ahead of her time. Oh how I loved my mom’s lunches, even on a day without snow.

Snow has arrived for the season. How much or how little, we really do not know. What I do know is when the next weather event arrives, I hope it is a weekend. I will take Precious to the park and allow her to immerse herself in this seasonal gift called snow. I will wander in the woods at the break of dawn to capture the scene of a world at peace. Forest bathing in the bliss of the season and watching as Precious discovers something new will be just what the Doctor ordered.

Do you remember childhood memories of snow? Has this wintry mix caught you prepared or just embracing seasonal bliss? I am patiently crossing my fingers for a weather event on the last day of this month.

Happy First Day of Snow…

Teri

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