"So neither he
who plants is anything nor he who waters, but (only) God Who makes it grow and
become greater" (I Corinthians 3:7).
This spring I've had
my first experience with growing tomato plants from seed. I've always admired
how people have grown massive tomato-bearing behemoths from tiny seeds; I've
always made myself content with buying a more mature plant at the garden store
that, many times, had small yellow blossoms already. My fascination with
watching them grow from "little sprouts" to the more mature plants
was increased ten fold last year when I bought a tiny plant and brought it to
my little greenhouse. Given its size, I had no idea if it would even survive,
much less grow into a healthy fruit-bearing plant. I watered it, put it in a
big pot to match the size I hoped it would achieve before planting it in the
ground once the dirt warmed, and then tried to be patient. That plant grew
almost before my very eyes. It was incredible how it grew each day.
I was hooked.
This spring I had
every ambition to start from scratch...or seed, as the case may be. I knew how
well the plant enjoyed and thrived in
the greenhouse environment, so I knew that seeds would find the perfect
environment for germination and becoming healthy seedlings.
Then the greenhouse
was destroyed.
I found myself with
a bunch of "orphaned" tomato seeds and little good experience with
growing anything indoors. In the past, I would have lots of good intentions and
leggy, thread-like wisps of seedlings that never survived. This time I needed
to grow more wisely. So, I read a good book on germination and seedlings,
bought some decent germination trays and planting medium, and invested in a
good grow light. After following the directions carefully, the seeds did
germinate, and they did grow under the encouragement of the glow of the grow
light. In fact, they grew out of their little germination squares pretty
quickly.
I was in new
territory again.
So, back to the
research and the wisdom of others who suggested I "cook" some dirt to
sterilize it, and then transplant the tomato plants. I had read originally that
the roots of a new plant are exceedingly delicate and the transplant process can
destroy them. Apparently, leaves grow back freely...roots, not so much. So, I
took the greatest care I could in separating the "twins"--the two
germinated seeds originally planted together
that had both grown into seedlings. So delicate, so tiny… Into the new
planting medium they went in their new "homes"...the peat pots. Each
were carefully watered and placed back under the grow lights to get accustomed
to their new growing environment. The next morning I hesitated to look at them,
fearing that I would see wilted little green messes rather than the healthy
little plants I'd seen the night before.
Happily, they were all still standing and looked okay...no worse for the
wear.
A pretty humbling
experience…
We can plant, we can
water, we can feed...but it is ultimately God's incredible wisdom and grace
that makes anything on this glorious planet truly grow and thrive. And, it's
kind of the same way with all of us. We can plant the seeds of faith, love, and
trust within ourselves and then share with our neighbors, but it will need
God's consistent input to make it truly blossom into the healthiest kind of harvest.
Peace be with you.
