Gaia's
GardenEven those of us on an Earth centered path can use a little help now and then in caring for our Mother. This column is dedicated to making us more aware of the "footprints" we leave on Her and how to live more harmoniously with Her even if we're urban pagans.
Saving Summer
It can be very hard to put aside the garden for another year. To be left with only a harvest remembered and a daydream over new seed catalogs. But, we must remember, that the year is truly a wheel, and while our gardens are winding down, others, in other climes are just warming up. Perhaps, like myself, you know someone in a warmer clime who cannot plant in summer or someone who lives in the Southern Hemisphere where spring is just warming up. If that is the case, perhaps you can save a bit of your summer and share it with someone else.
As you harvest the last seeds or prune and dig the last runners off your plants, think of these others. If you make sure the seeds are properly dried, you can easily slip them into a plastic baggie and thence into an envelope.
Shoots, runners or root stock take a bit more planning, but are well worth it. Simply take the plant part, wash it well, wrap the root ends or cut ends in damp paper towels or newspapers and secure a plastic bag over this with a rubber band. Then wrap the whole thing in paper, slip it into a poster mailer, and ship IMMEDIATELY and by AIR Mail. Make sure you include growing instructions with your gift.
Also, if you are shipping overseas, check with your friend to make sure there are no agricultural restrictions on the plant you are sending. Plants that are nice in one place, become pests in another as witnessed by kudzu, ice plant and Malaysian water lilies. Also, make SURE your plant stock is pest free before shipping.Happy Sharing!
Kara Shima
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