The Mystical Whispers of the Autumn Garden

The Mystical Whispers of the Autumn Garden

The demure embrace of Summer is felt as it takes a final bow and beckons Autumn to gracefully dance in. Many of the plants in the garden are now flourishing in their final glory as the seasons begin to transition. It’s a cycle of regeneration, not one of dying. A circle of life that continues with the promise of a seed. A promise that whispers hope of new life beginning. A new life, a new dream, that welcomes the sweet sustenance of our physical, mental, and spiritual being. The trifecta of true holistic wellness. 

Seeds are a token of energy

A reminder that life will re-emerge in all of its magnificent beauty. The impression of the plant that it was and the aspiration of what it will be. An understated treasure packed into a tiny little shell. There’s an unspoken gratitude for the life-giving and soul-soothing abundance this tiny offspring holds within the memory of its mother plant. As the colder months blow leaves, snow, and rain upon the land- the seeds rest. They rest with the knowledge that spring will arrive. With the slight nudges of gentle rains and radiant sunshine, they begin to stir. It’s an ever so slight shake and wiggle. They start preparing as an actor preps to step out onto the stage. And as spring approaches, we witness the miracle of the seed as it unfolds and reaches out. Reaching out towards the sun, for its own selfless nourishment so that it may thrive. At that moment, we recognize that the cycle has begun.

Clockwise from top left:  Calendula (Calendula officinalis),  Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale),  Parsley (Petroselinum crispum),  Marigold (Tagetes patula),  Plantain (Plantago major),  Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum).

Harvesting seeds

The awe and wonder of witnessing a seed grow into a plant is always a joy-filled experience. The summer months bless the garden with an abundance of nourishment for body and soul. As autumn makes an appearance we see the changes in the plants. 

After the plants have bloomed and flourished, their gifts are harvested. Gifts that have nurtured our mind, body, and spirit. Fruit, herb, leaf, root, and vegetable. The harvest continues as it is time to collect the seeds. Many of the plants in my garden follow a cycle of self-seeding. However, I save seeds from just about every plant that grows in my garden. Even from plants that are abundant.

The beginning of autumn is also a reminder to begin planning for the winter garden. So in addition to harvesting seeds, I will also be prepping the soil for planting. Saving seeds is a simple process and quite beneficial. Why save seeds? Two reasons include cost and quality. Not only will you save money by saving seeds, you are also guaranteed the quality of the seeds. No need to worry about genetically modified seeds. Here are some tips for saving seeds. 

• After harvesting the seeds, spread them out on paper towels or parchment paper. Allow them to dry out for a few days or up to a week. 
• Once dry, place seeds in an envelope, glass jar, or plastic bag. Be sure to label with plant name and date. (I love these seed envelopes from Amazon.)
• Store the seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place. 
• For best results, use the stored seeds the following year. 
• Methods of collecting and storing seeds will vary for plants. Be sure to read up on each individual plant prior to collecting the seeds.  The tips mentioned here apply mostly to flower varieties. Some vegetable plants, such as tomato, require a few additional steps for proper storage. 

Do you save the seeds from any of your garden plants? Leave me a comment, I would love to read about it.

I am about to venture into the garden to harvest seeds. Here I leave you with some photos of one of my most beloved plants, the morning glory.

May the mystical whispers of the season bless you with beauty and inspiration. 

Morning glory( Ipomoea purpurea), seed pods

A healthy planet begins with you!

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ivanna

Daughter of the Earth, Mother of her creations. Ivanna (Evie) doesn’t care for titles, but the ones that fit best are homeschool mom, herbalist, and blogger. Her greatest joy is guiding others to find true wellness within themselves and Mother Earth. When not spending time with her beloved family, she can be found researching everything related to holistic wellness, crafting herbal remedies, or visiting with the plants in the Magical Garden.