A Prolific Spring: Planting your own Garden

by Farnoosh on April 19, 2010 · 27 comments . For Fun

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose.
By any other name would smell as sweet.

Much as I love Shakespeare, this timeless prose does not hold up when it comes to marketing, branding, business and website naming. The right name can make all the difference to your clientele, your traffic and ultimately to your success. So meaning what we say and saying what we mean with our chosen names is imperative.

Prolific dictionary meaning

I chose prolific living as my blog’s name to embody the essence of being productive and abundant in large quantities as the theme and vision for this blog. Reading profusely. Traveling tirelessly. Relentlessly pursuing the yoga journey. Exploring and learning voraciously. Those aspects and more, I share here in the blog with you. So it seems I stay true to my name.

Still, I know I can always do more. Specifically, I remember when I first looked up Prolific in the dictionary, some time after I had already decided upon it naturally (!), there was the literal translation staring at me: “producing … fruit; abundantly fruitful“. When spring brightened our lives again with its sweet arrival this year, I decided to document one other aspect of my life for you, one that is a subtle but constant joy this time of year, that of planting a garden in the spring.

Do you know the joy I am talking about? Do you plant your own garden in the spring?

I used to imagine a garden to be a reasonably sized plot of land with marked sections devoted to different types of flowers or vegetables. A pretty garden with fences, lots of vegetables, heaps of flowers, tall lemon, orange and avocado trees all around. Oh yes and a large Italian style swimming pool in the center. As obstinate as you may be, the truth shows you a different reality in life, and the truth of this matter is that size is inconsequential when it comes to having a garden. That what really matters is that you plant something and watch it grow and in this process you feel at the very least closer to nature, and on a deeper level, even transformed by the awe that is Mother Nature.

In a few small planters and a tiny balcony, I have made my garden. And judging from last year’s prolific crop, I needed no more encouragement to continue the trend. I had more peppers and oregano and sweet Italian basil than I knew what to do with. The sun had been bright, the climate ideal and the rain abundant and if not, the watering can always ready to serve its purpose. The experience leaves you wanting more, especially after you taste and consume your very own crop. So this spring, I have done it again and am expecting an even fuller crop, come mid-May!

In no way should you be expecting detailed instructions on how to plant your small or big garden here in this post. That question is best suited for my omniscient father on the matter. What I share is the inspiration from this simplistic process of planting a seed (or a baby plant in most of my cases) and watching it grow. I want to urge you to plant a garden of your own at some point in your life.

Here are some (too many to list all) of my reasons for you. Maybe they will become your reasons, maybe you will find some of your own. Either way, plant a garden one spring in your life.

i am a better person when i take care of my plants.

no pepper, no basil, no tomato has tasted better than the one i grow myself.

the greenness of mother nature is the best therapy and rest for the eyes.

i know whence my vegetable and herb come and i like it.

i have a new sense of responsibility toward my plants and that is a good feeling to cultivate in life.

the smell of my own herbs and vegetables is enough reason.

i learn more about nature and learning is always good.

taking care of plants returns me to the simplicity of life, problems seem smaller, solutions abundant.

yes i feel closer to mother nature, cliché or not.

i am being witness to the growth process, which never gets old.

i can see, feel, smell and taste the fruits of my labor, no pun intended.

it simply makes me immensely happy.

Have I convinced you yet to plant your own garden? Surely a few photos will definitely do the trick.

Or perhaps more inspiration from my garden-lover readers will turn the tide for the rest and soon, all of us will be planting a small garden, come spring time!

Share your beautiful thoughts on your own garden and why you plant one!

Last Year's Garden | Time to Replant

Planting new Herbs

Planting baby basil

Best Garden Soil Organic Choice

Watering the Plants Daily


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{ 27 brilliant comments, Care to add another? }

1 Travis April 20, 2010 at 8:22 AM

It’s for these exact same reasons that I’m starting up a garden myself this spring… from the enjoyment of watching YOUR plants grow, to eating fresh fruit or vegetables that you know stemmed from a result of YOUR hard work.

I also think gardening is pretty enjoyable, and to be honest, quite relaxing as well. There really is something soothing about going out to tend your garden after you’ve had a long day; being able to watch the transformation of life taking place right in front of your eyes. And of course, on those nice days that you decide to go out and read, what better company than that of your plants?

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2 Farnoosh April 20, 2010 at 3:39 PM

Travis, how exciting. Transformation of life indeed. And the relaxing bit is so true. I too love the company of my plants. Best of luck with the garden and do tell me what you plan to grow.

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3 Phil - Less Ordinary Living April 20, 2010 at 10:12 AM

Farnoosh -

We just planted out our small patio garden for the spring. I’m trying tomatoes, radishes and rocket for the first time. We potted a magnolia tree and are excited for the blossoms. It is so rewarding to spend time tending the garden and waiting for the prolific results. Loved the words and the pictures even more – thanks!

Phil

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4 Farnoosh April 20, 2010 at 3:40 PM

Phil, I am so envious of the magnolia tree. It used to be my grandfather’s favorite, and he had a large one at his house. I am wishing you a most prolific crop and time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

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5 Tess The Bold Life April 20, 2010 at 10:21 AM

I grew up on an 88 acre produce farm and spent my childhood in the fields witnessing prolific results. I hated it then yet as an adult I can see the wonderful results in each area of my life the experience gave me.

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6 Farnoosh April 20, 2010 at 3:41 PM

88 acres ha? I can’t begin to imagine where that starts or finishes, Tess. It makes for a sweet and natural childhood. Thanks for sharing with us!

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7 Mark April 20, 2010 at 10:39 AM

I love your thoughts on planting your seeds and nurturing them and watching them grow to enjoy the fruits or in this case the vegetables of your effort. You provided much inspiration and a great lesson that when we plant a seed that is only the beginning of a wonderful journey.

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8 Farnoosh April 20, 2010 at 3:41 PM

Hey Mark, I am so happy you are inspired – and I hope you know that means I expect you to plant your own garden. And enjoy your own journey!

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9 Keith Davis April 20, 2010 at 12:26 PM

Hi Farnoosh
I love gardening and used to be a member of the RHS, Royal Horticultural Society.
The RHS are the people who organise the Chelsea Flower Show.
If you ever get the chance, go to the Chelsea Flower show… absolutely stunning and full of celebrities. I bumped into Michael Caine one year!

Gardening teaches you so much about life, including patience.
Those bulbs you planted or those cuttings you took take time to show results.

Good to see that you are really enjoying it.

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10 Farnoosh April 20, 2010 at 3:42 PM

Keith, never been. Noted: Chelsea Flower Show for the future. And the celebrity bit can be the icing on the cake. The patience part is so true, and I think I need it more than others! Thanks for the great info and your thoughts!

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11 J.D. Meier April 20, 2010 at 3:11 PM

> plant something and watch it grow
I like that … so simple, but so powerful. Creating growth builds momentum and I think is a great habit for renewal.

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12 Farnoosh April 20, 2010 at 3:43 PM

Indeed. Most powerful stuff is so simple it seems. JD, thanks for the words here.

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13 rob white April 20, 2010 at 9:13 PM

This post was a lot of fun to read, Farnoosh. In Boston we have community gardens and the plots are hotly contested and coveted. While these Gardens are too ambitious for my brown thumbs, I think planting some Basil is a great idea. I am an animal lover (with a parrot named Shakespeare) and take great joy in my relationship with animals and Nature.

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14 Farnoosh April 20, 2010 at 10:16 PM

Did you say a parrot??? I am mad about those creatures but Andy won’t let us have one. I used to have parrots when I was very little. Shakespeare is a brilliant name for a parrot. Rob, you made me smile. Boston is a great city, and now even better in my eyes with what you shared about it! Thank you.

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15 Armen Shirvanian April 20, 2010 at 9:37 PM

Hi Farnoosh.

It is hard to beat a cool garden. Fruit plants and colored flowers and so on make for an exciting area. A lot of people that could have fruit plants don’t have them, and so they miss out on some of the best-tasting food they could get. Herbs also fit in here. Many years ago I would pick some of our fresh mint to put in sandwiches. It was a great addition to those meals. At times now I make orange juice from home oranges and so on.

Also, having herbs and fruit plants makes you feel more secure, because you feel like you could sustain during some grocery store boycott or other difficult times. They provide a supportive feel that is much bigger than the plants themselves.

Your domain name is fitting. I have noticed that domain names usually say a lot about the writer behind them.

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16 Farnoosh April 20, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Grocery boycotting! Now there is something I hadn’t thought about. Armen, your sense of humor is unbeatable as a cool garden! Yes indeed it’s a shame if others who *can* have a garden opt out. Thanks for liking “prolific living”, we like you back!

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17 Rebekah Smith April 21, 2010 at 2:34 PM

It’s almost as good as spring itself, seeing pictures of your green garden next to the word “prolific” on your blog. Humanity has been gardening for thousands of years, and here we are at the end of that chain, in a new growing season. May your garden, and you, flourish in the sun!

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18 Farnoosh April 21, 2010 at 4:10 PM

Rebekah, always profound words from you. Thank you for the wishes. May you taste one of my peppers this year. I am all for sharing the prolific crop!

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19 Lance April 21, 2010 at 3:26 PM

Hey Farnoosh,
I’m late to the garden party, aren’t I!!!

We do have a garden, and I too love the food that I’ve grown with my own hands. Some days it can seem like a hassle, especially when the weeds try to win out. The real victory though, is in the yummy products that come from it!! Mmmmm…..

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20 Farnoosh April 21, 2010 at 4:09 PM

Lance, you are so very late to the party but I am letting you in anyway!!!
I knew you must have a garden too, and it sounds bigger than my balcony since you have room for weeds:)! Thanks for sharing!

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21 Lance April 22, 2010 at 6:29 AM

Whew!!! Thanks for letting me in to the party!!! And…if you ever want some of those weeds…just let me know!!! (I’m glad to share!)

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22 bastiaan April 26, 2010 at 3:15 PM

Thanks for writing this…it’s about time I turn my city balcony into something of a paradise….perhaps I can grow something like strawberries….

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23 Farnoosh April 26, 2010 at 3:18 PM

Go for it! Strawberries, yum! Why not? I am even thinking of growing the most expensive spice on earth, SAFFRON! Wish me luck and I wish you the same!!

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24 Sandra Lee May 2, 2010 at 9:39 PM

Love your garden. I’m planting a garden to get back in touch with the earth element, which is out of balance in my body and in this world. Looking forward to prolific expression!

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25 Farnoosh May 2, 2010 at 10:05 PM

Best of luck . Find that balance and hold on to it next time! Thanks for stopping by here, Sandra and come back anytime!

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26 Roman Soluk May 6, 2010 at 8:04 AM

Garden and home plants are one of my hobbies. I like it so much. I’m happy to see this post here! It’s so nice to plant something and to watch it grows.

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27 Farnoosh May 6, 2010 at 8:18 AM

Oh I am so happy to hear of more and more people loving gardens and home plants. Watching things grow is wonderful, thanks for sharing Roman!

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