When we set about creating a new garden, what are the first considerations we have? For me, it usually goes like this: how is this going to look (landscaping) and/or function (vegetable garden)?
One of the takeaways from a book I am reading right now, “Creating Sanctuary” by Jessi Bloom, is the idea of ethical guidelines when it comes to the garden or other outdoor spaces we are developing. She relates it to the guidelines found in the permaculture approach. She lists the guidelines that she finds most helpful when designing outdoor spaces:
- care for the land
- care for people
- give back
- pace yourself
These guidelines can be used when facing a choice or when trying to resolve an issue. In all cases where there seems to be conflict among the guidelines, the first one overrules the others.
Page 35: “Remember: take care of the earth, and the earth will take care of you.” Profound!!
The earth will provide all that we need, so long as we take good care of her. I think this must be one of the most fundamental things that we, as humans, need to know and abide by. In my mind, it ranks right up there after Don’t Hurt Each Other and Don’t Hurt the Animals.
Ms. Bloom goes on to write: “We must consider the natural ecological function of the space and make sure that the space can support our goals to use it for ourselves.” Some questions we can ask ourselves (taken directly from the book):
- Are my choices good for the earth?
- Are they good for the people?
- Will these choices be ecologically regenerative and implemented in a process I can manage – physically, financially, emotionally?
That’s a lot to think about when planning a new outdoor space! But, I believe it would be time well spent, and not necessarily difficult. There is a lot of information readily available to us these days to help us know how to proceed, in a manner that is good for the earth when it comes to land development and garden decisions (what to plant, how to fertilize, how to deal with pests, on and on).
That’s pretty heavy stuff for a Thursday. What are you thinking about today?
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