My earliest memory of encountering the mysterious way life originates from apparently lifeless seed was when I was 4 years old. Having since worked on an Organic Farm after working for NASA on two
satellite missions, I still find myself amazed at nature and the
process of growing plants. At that Farm we specialized in "micro-greens," sprouted greens and vegetables for the high-end chefs in the Washintgon DC/VA/MD area. It was an incredible experience to watch them arise in the greenhouse.
But, even now, I can clearly remember the youthful fascination that gawking at four carrot seeds in a corked small vial of water sprouting long white tails spawned within me. Years later, as an adult,with immense glee I once turned a wet bar into a "sprouting bar," taking great delight in sprouting beans, grains, vegetables, and grasses. I was continually amazed at the sudden burst of life and micro-nutrient density that seeming spontaneously occur. Also noted, with irony, was that there is NO scientific test that would enable one to determine in advance, which seed, which bean, which dry object would manifest life. I just LOVE pointing that out to scientists. Reduces the general hubris they tend to accumulate over time.
See, you just don't know. You can't know. You have no choice but to believe that given the right conditions, your efforts will facilitate the coaxing of life from the seemingly dead. Life arises from the soil via the seeds, strives towards the sun (phototaxis), and with faith and care, will grow strong, nutritious, and be viable to then contribute to our own lives and physical enrichment/survival. What a noble sacrifice!
In managing an extensive vegetable (and to lesser degree of management, flower) garden, I often find reminders of these same philosophical concepts. We can do it correctly and proper "by the book:" the soil, the water, the species, the weeding.... and still, life may or may not emerge, and may or may not continue to "fruition." The weather may not accommodate, invasive weeds prove their superiority, insects may decide to take their turn, and small mammals may think it's a buffet table set out for their enjoyment and feast. I don't know how farmers stay sane with the inexactitude of what they do season after season after season.
Anyway, today, after carefully sprouting parsnip seeds between two paper towels for weeks (see photo above, click on to see larger version in another window), and they finally sprouted a few days ago (had read that germination was iffy with this vegetable), I spent hours preparing a bed for them to rest in and grow. Will take over a 120+ days before they can be harvested. I also put three types of carrot seed in a 75 foot plot (having done the digging yesterday, adding mushroom compost today). The carrot seeds were not sprouted in advance, so there's no way to predict whether all that physical effort and time will produce a bounty of carrots to enjoy in a few months. A roll of the dice. A "crap shoot" of sorts.
Did I spend the afternoon planting seeds? Well, maybe... from one level of awareness... but perhaps, in a more descriptive, all-inclusive and metaphysical way, what we really do when we choose to work with the plant kingdom is better described as engaging in and "planting faith." "Faith" that the plants will come to life, and that perhaps we are putting a little hope energy into the ground at the same time.
Way cool.
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