A Time to Plant
“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.” Song of Songs 2:11-13
Okay, maybe the rains aren’t yet over and gone, but Sky Nursery does confirm that the long-awaited moment has finally arrived: “April 15th is the Puget Sound area’s expected last frost date.”
An exciting and happy time for Union gardeners!
But we also acknowledge some darkness that tempers the light of spring: as we gratefully look forward to planting, harvesting and enjoying produce from our gardens, Northwest Harvest reminds us of the food insecurity all around us:
“One million Washington residents visited a food bank in the past year.
1 in 10 Washingtonians consistently struggle with hunger.
1 in 6 Washington kids live in a household that faces challenges in putting enough food on the table.
1 in 8 Washingtonians live below the poverty line.
1 in 8 Washingtonians relies on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase food. Half of all people on SNAP are kids.
The majority of working-age Washingtonians living in poverty are working or actively looking for work. Many work more than one job.
Washington State ranks 10th in the country in overall wealth—and ranks 34th in food insecurity.”
So here’s a thought:
Perhaps each of us who will garden this summer could plant a bit more than we need—an extra tomato or pepper plant, for example, or some extra lettuce, spinach, onions, melons, squash, potatoes, whatever—to share with someone else, either directly or through a food bank. Union gardeners did this last summer, as the photo at right, an early season delivery to Compass House, illustrates.
The aim of this individual commitment/community action shouldn’t be self-defeating: “eradicate all food insecurity this summer.” Instead, the goal can be humble, realistic—and attainable: “be a part of the good we want to see,” one vegetable at a time. We may weep as we sow, but we can reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126:5).
Weather conditions from here on out allow a wide range of vegetables to be planted, and by early May, all but a few things can be safely planted (for details, check the Union Gardens Calendar).
Climate Change
Responding with Hope & Purpose +
Two statements capture the tension of our times with respect to the environment:
“The climate change narrative has become a doom and gloom story, causing people to experience denial, anger, or resignation.” (1)
“…the greatest danger of our times is the deadening of our response.” (2)
“Is it too late?” “We need to do something.” “But what can one person—or even a small community—actually do?” Do we resign ourselves to “game over”—or do we act out of the belief that it’s actually “game on”? (3)
We believe that much can be done to rescue and heal our environment. And we believe that many Union community members act on that belief in tangible ways, every day.
Starting in March 2020, we launched a project to support and amplify the efforts of Union community members eager to act in environmentally friendly ways. We started modestly: we established an online forum that people can visit to:
Ask what others are doing to solve a specific environment-impacting problem
Draw on the collective wisdom of the community’s answers
This page will serve as a repository of ideas that can be referred to as new questions—and new good ideas—arise. Check back for updates!
Eco-faith Reflections & Invitations
We can make a difference, no matter how big or small. Our hope is that you’d be encouraged, intrigued, emboldened to try one or all of these action items!
HAVE YOUR OWN IDEAS?
Feel free to submit them here. All tips & tricks will be collected by Adrienne & Gary, and eventually shared with the community! If you have pictures or any other info to share, you can also email Adrienne directly.
(1) Dr. Jonathan Foley, Executive Director, California Academy of Sciences, writing in the Foreword to Drawdown, edited by Paul Hawken, ©2017
(2) Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone, Active Hope, ©2012, p. 2
(3) “Game over” vs. “game on” from Paul Hawken in “Origins,” Drawdown p. x