Gardening Series

Plant We started this weekly series of articles to help everyone get over that hesitation and start a partnership with nature. The response was tremendous. A lot of folks started their first co-creative garden and are excited to approach gardening in this new way, hand in "hand" with nature. This year, we're refreshing some of you on the steps as you move through your second year garden, and we're welcoming a new group of first-year co-creative gardeners.

You can get started anytime. All you need is The Perelandra Garden Workbook. These articles will give you easy page references and little steps — something you can do each week, with just minimal time. Everyone must start with Part 1.

After that, you can choose the areas of gardening where you're ready to add nature's expertise. don't feel like you have to do everything your first season. And don't let a late start keep you from beginning now. Even if you already have a garden going, bringing nature on board will only add to your success and increase the strength and balance of your garden.

Your garden can be one clay pot of flowers on your front porch, a small herb garden by the door, a family vegetable garden or an orchard. Size doesn't matter! But we do encourage you to start small your first year as you learn the processes.

Each article has steps for beginners, "Gut Gardeners" and steps for those who are ready to take the partnership to the next level, "2.0 Gardeners." Choose the path you're comfortable with, you can move to 2.0 Gardening whenever you're ready. And It's okay to work with Gut Gardening on some tasks, 2.0 Gardening on others. There's lots of flexibility and you'll find nature to be a very easy to work with, understanding partner.

So what are you waiting for?! Start here.

The Perelandra Garden Workbook by Machaelle Wright

Your Co-Creative Gardener's Kit

Blank Charts & Checklists

Why I Bother by Machaelle Wright (With two easy steps, you can too.)

Over the years I've been asked what the Perelandra garden means to me. I can hardly believe the question is even asked, and I have barely been able to articulate a response. I keep wanting to say, "Isn't it obvious?" Friends say I am naïve to believe that it is. Now it's even a tougher question for me to answer. My partnership with nature has expanded to include many different kinds of gardens ...

Your Garden Can Be Anything Start Now! (Part 1)

Your garden can be anything from a couple of sprout jars to a small flower bed, a water garden, a "salad garden" or a bumper crop on acres of farmland. Size doesn't really matter here. Choose a garden that fits your life. ...

Your garden's location, shape and size. (Part 2)

In this session with nature, you're going to learn the location, shape and size of your garden. That's it! Some of this may have already been identified in your DDP. If you're planning a windowsill, patio or deck garden, you'll obviously be working within that space, but you still need to determine where on the patio those planted areas will be, and how much of the patio will contain plants. ...

Getting Your Seed & Plant Lists (Part 3)

Time to find out what's going into your garden. Gardening with nature as your partner is rewarding. It is also useful and can help to satisfy your need to do something in your "little corner of the world" that will have a positive impact on the bigger world around you. ...

Your garden layout. (Part 4)

Do you have your seed and plant lists completed? Great! Get them out, along with your drawing of your garden's shape and size. You are now going to work on the layout of your garden with your nature partner. With this step, you'll begin to visualize the garden coming together. ...

Row Order and Plant Ratio (Part 5)

The full picture of your co-creative garden is about to unfold before you! When you complete this garden session, you will see the full picture of your co-creative garden for this year. ...

Adding minerals, stones or a focal point to your garden. (Extra)

There might be more than plants, soil and fertilizer that are important to the balance of your garden. It could be minerals or gems, or an object that changes the balance of energy. Not all gardens have focal points. Not all gardens will need or benefit from the addition of minerals, stones or crystals. To find out if your garden should include a focal point, mineral or gem, all you need do is ask. ...

Indoor Seed Starts & Plant or Seed Substitutions (Part 6)

Some of you will be starting seeds and plants indoors or in a greenhouse. It's time to get the information for that. First, be honest with yourself and give nature some information: Can you truly offer to start seeds early indoors? Do you have a place to do this? How much space? Do you have time to tend to the seedlings? ...

When to ask if an adjustment is needed for your garden plan. (Tip)

This is a special tip for gardeners that will help soil-less gardeners too! After you have your plan in place for this season's garden (or project/soil-less garden), you may learn something new. Here's how to address a curve-ball or unexpected bit of new information with your nature partner. ...

Preparing the Soil (Part 7)

Before you order a bunch of fertilizers or invest in a new tiller, be sure you talk to your partner. Find out exactly how you need to prepare your soil. When you get this information from nature, it will be tailored to your garden, its purpose, the plants and seeds that will go in, your soil and your environment. Nature knows what is needed for balance when it comes to your soil. ...