Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Wednesday Vignette: the power of gardens, all gardens

This unusual autumn vignette comes from the grounds of The Urban Farmer, a garden supply store in Richmond, CA. I spent last Saturday there, as part of a Pacific Horticulture Society board meeting.

It's always interesting to get together with my fellow PHS board members, so much passion in that group. We spent the day discussing how to secure the funding needed to keep the society operating, as is the case with many nonprofits — even those with garden passion — money does not grow on trees.

To pass time on the flight home I'd downloaded the 2015 documentary Can You Dig This: "CAN YOU DIG THIS follows the inspirational journeys of four unlikely gardeners, discovering what happens when they put their hands in the soil. This is not a story of science and economics. This is a story of the human spirit, inspiring people everywhere to pick up their shovels and "plant some shit." The star of the film is Ron Finley, the "Gangster Gardener" who dared to plant up his hellstrip in South Central LA, if you haven't listened to his TED Talk from 2013 you can find it here. It's a good one.

The difference between my day (and life) and the days (and lives) of those of the individuals followed in the film is extreme, to say the least. Yet the premise of the film, "people are planting to transform their neighborhoods and are changing their own lives in the process" and Pacific Horticulture Society's belief in "the power of gardens to enrich life and inspire environmental stewardship" are based on the same convictions.

Gardening makes the world a better place.

Weather Diary, Oct 31: Hi 62, Low 35/ Precip 0

Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter & Hum. All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

10 comments:

  1. Oh, I LOVE Ron Finley! I did see the TED talk, but have yet to see that movie. Will definitely make time to do so. I argue the same thing (that gardening changes and affirms life), but my husband doesn't buy it. Well he does, but not for him. He insists he gets the same warm and fuzzy from playing and creating music. I believe that. I think it's the magic power of creation that fuels the soul - regardless of the medium. Of course, one can't eat music, but that is merely a technicality. It definitely feeds the soul!

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    1. I agree with your husband to a point. The difference being that gardening gets you outdoors, into the natural world (or at least closer to the natural world). And in the film the folks portrayed are most growing healthy food — a very important factor in a sea of fast food restaurants. I'm in no way discrediting the power of creative endeavors, they are also vital!

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  2. That's a lovely shot, the sunshine showing up the veins on the Colocasia. I do agree that gardening feeds the soul, but I don't think you have to actively participate in the creative arts to get that benefit, as long as you have the capacity to appreciate it. Even if all you do is read a book.

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    1. Agreed, but. As in my reply to Anna's comment the introduction of the outdoors and the production of healthy food adds another element.

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  3. Just watched the trailer for the film. looks wonderful. I will have to look for it. Noticed your low temp of 35. On Halloween our temps never got out of the 30s. Two weeks ago it was almost 80. We were above normal and now we are below.

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    1. I should have mentioned it's available for streaming on Netflix. Your temperature drop sounds harsh. Out highs of the 60's and 70's are also dropping. There are highs of 46 in the forecast. I am not thrilled about that.

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  4. Looking forward to seeing the full film and watching the Ted Talk! Thanks for the links. "Gardening makes the world a better place." Words to live by or at least to garden by. Hope the meeting generated some great ideas to keep PHS afloat.

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    1. I hope you do get to see the film Peter, and yes. Lot's of ideas...let's hope they bear fruit.

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  5. A potent message, Loree, and one I completely subscribe to. Thanks for sharing the links.

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