It Started with a Tomato Plant | A Gardening Journey

‘So what are you all growing in your garden?’ ‘Everything you can think of’, I answered my friend, having vegetables in mind. ‘Oh, so do you have apple trees, pear trees, etc.?’. Oops, busted! ‘No, just many vegetables and different types of berries. Fruit trees are still a level too advanced right now.’ There was a time in my life when even growing my own vegetables was a level too advanced. I invite you to join me on the gardening journey God took me on.

As long as I can remember my dad had a vegetable garden, fruit trees and a greenhouse full of tomatoes. For my parents it was a way of surviving, having enough wholesome food to feed a big family. We were supposed to help out in the garden, which was not always fun. Until my dad gave us our own tomato plant to care for. And later, our own little garden plot, in which we could grow the crops we liked and being responsible for them. I remember having that responsibility and being creative ourselves, was actually fun!

“If possible, the home should be out of the city, where the children can have ground to cultivate. Let them each have a piece of ground of their own; and as you teach them how to make a garden, how to prepare the soil for seed, and the importance of keeping all the weeds pulled out, teach them also how important it is to keep unsightly, injurious practices out of the life..” Counsels on agriculture p. 46

Also working together with my family members brings back warm memories: on a winter Sunday morning sitting all around the table with a big pile of beans to be peeled, gave us time for much needed connection.

I ended up studying at a university well known for it’s agriculture and horticulture studies - although I studied nutrition there. In hindsight I can really see God’s hand in leading me there, a rather small town, in a rural area. In my student flat I had only one plant to take care of, which I diligently did, but the seed of garden interest had not died. My master thesis was about (nutrition and) green care farms. [The hypothesis was that elderly people receiving daycare on green care farms would eat better/more, compared to people receiving day care in nursing homes.] This whole concept of green care farms ignited my interest, and gave me the dream of having my own (vegetable) farm, where people with mental or psychological problems could come and work to help their healing process. – it still is a dream, but has become reality in a different way.

After my studies God led me to a mission school in Norway, which was actually called the European bible school of health and agriculture. A name quite similar to the university I went to. However, it was a Moses in Midian experience, unlearning many things and learning many new things. I got to experience firsthand what true education actually means, as opposed to regular education. But that’s a topic for another time. Part of the education was working in the garden and the greenhouses. I enjoyed that the most. I learned new things which I hadn’t seen (back then) in my dad’s garden: mulching, feeding the soil with minerals, and playing music for the plants while spraying fertilizer on the leaves. We also played a role in the whole process from seeding and planting until packing the crops to sell.

Returning back home God slowly led me into situations where I could learn more, and apply the acquired knowledge. Together with my (former) boyfriend we built a garden from scratch on the grass land of the neighbors. We applied methods like putting cardboard on the grass, covering it with soil and seeding directly into it. This project really gave me enjoyment and fulfillment.

In the years which followed I heard and gathered information here and there, hearing for the first time about permaculture and similar concepts, which really captured my interest.

My Gardening Journey – A Garden of My Own

Finally, a few years ago, I got the opportunity to rent a garden of my own. God really led me to this place in special ways, and He gave the help through different kind people which I needed in the beginning to start it up. Since it is an allotment garden, I’m surrounded by many different people, who all apply their own methods of gardening, from old fashioned to permaculture styles and everything in between. Stubbornly I started to apply all kinds of unconventional methods like the no-dig method, starting with a thick layer of compost; covering the beds with straw and other plant material in the winter. That did draw some curious glances from fellow gardeners—and gave us opportunities to exchange ideas. That first year I was blessed with a lot of produce. As if God smiled at me, and wanted to give me a bunch of encouragement to continue. I really love that in this way I could (and still can) share the blessings of the produce with friends, family and colleagues.

In the past years, I also learned about the Adagra conferences, and attended almost each one faithfully. It was a great opportunity to meet like minded people, people who are sharing their knowledge, to learn about new methods like preparing and feeding the soil, the no dig method, how to grow seedlings in the best way, giving the land a sabbath rest, and so on. Besides that the conferences serve as a great way to meet old friends and make new ones.

Lessons and blessings from the Garden

What I have been enjoying the most in gardening is designing, shaping and planning the garden each year, and trying out new crops. With an abundant harvest I was also able to support our health ministry with some produce. While battling a tendency to depression, I learned that the garden helped me out of it: something to care for, and being active in the fresh air. Besides, the garden teaches me to be creative and flexible. The ever-present weeds teach me to practice endurance, even if the work is hard. The garden doesn’t look perfect or straight, since I like to keep the edible plants which choose their own place to grow 😊. But I enjoy trying out new and old methods, ever learning the lessons God gives in nature. And who knows, maybe the next step will be planting some fruit trees 😊.

Anja den Ouden – applies her nutrition knowledge and administrative skills in the health ministry ‘Completer is Beter’ in the Netherlands. Besides that she has a job in administration. In her free time, she loves to garden and baking bread, while accepting opportunities God gives her for sharing the gospel with those around her.