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One final suggestion—avoid combat maneuvers in your garden. Children of every plant, animal, and mineral species do poorly when raised in or near a battlefield. Gophers, snails, deer, and aphid are part of the garden phenomenon. Granted they can be a giant pain, we all can be at times, but poisoning, stabbing-traps, and gunshots destroy the serenity of a garden, and they are not enjoyable strategies. Plant-munching critters can be outwitted and out-maneuvered. Take the challenge. If some of the other local fauna outmaneuver you, a point for them. Exercise your sense of humor. Let your frustration stimulate your creative wit. Companions (of all species) teach; you learn, and the next step in the garden boogie is yours. We live in the Garden of Earth as members of a sacred circle of giving. All beings need food, and the earth provides it for us. At some point in the ongoing dynamics of this organic cycle, each of us becomes a morsel of food for another. Eating a succulent garden plant, no matter where it might be growing (or what species you are), is instinctive, wholesome participation in the circle dynamics; don’t take it personally. We garden to grow, to feel good, to be uplifted, and to enjoy our life; warfare heads us in a different direction. And, if you happen to have a bad back or some other injury, don’t be deterred by this. Gardening is well done slowly and easily; it is a timeless adventure that will adapt gracefully to your rhythm and movements.

A NOTE ON THE PUTTERING REFLEX

Gardening is a human being’s most efficient means for reviving the ability to co-communicate with plants. This ability is systematically developed by the reawakening and refining of one’s innate “puttering reflex.”

The puttering reflex is triggered automatically the instant you step into your garden. Since the event of your last appearance in the garden, the resident plants have been growing and anticipating your return, and they will have a variety of organic details they would appreciate that you attend to.

Upon reentering the garden, you sense this intuitively, and, in classic reflexive fashion—which seems almost involuntarily performed—you start tending immediately to the salient project nearest at hand. The perpetuation of the reflex loop is automatic as you hear the plants’ requests and respond, hear and respond, hear and respond throughout the garden community. In short time, this “puttering” process shifts gears into enchantment, graceful movements, shameless humming, deliberate creativity, full on joy, and non-resistance to total participation in the well-being of your innate health. Time ceases to exist along with the sidecar full of pressures that habitually ride with time in your life. Garden puttering is a mild form of trance that you enter, and when you come out of this green space, both you and the garden are emotionally and physically transformed. It is an ambrosial adventure that enhances your immune system and tones your nervous system. Concurrently, the circulatory system is caressed by your complete disconnection with all time-related stress; the five senses are acutely activated; and like your muscles when enjoyably exercised, the more you use them, in turn, the more pleasure they give you. So, be well, putter forth, and play with the faeries.

Further note: The impulsive tendency to hug trees is an opportunistic ancillary response to the puttering reflex.

GREEN THUMB TECHNOLOGY OF INDEPENDENCE—

A RECOMMENDED HOME MEDICINE GARDEN

Western States

The size of your garden site will suggest the plants to choose.

Plants that yield a good harvest, yet do not require too much room

(suggestions for an approximately 10′ × 20′ plot)

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

• Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

• Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis) (Plant it where you want it to remain!)

• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

• Garlic (Allium sativum)

• Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)