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Cultivate the root; the leaves and branches take care of themselves.

~Confucius

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Dear Reader

A month ago, I planted 12 lovage seeds. It would be my third seasonal attempt. The first two times, the story was the same. I tapped the seeds into soil blocks and patiently counted down fourteen days, then twenty-one days, and eventually gave up. The soil blocks were then repurposed for more "cooperative seeds". The problem was that I really wanted to grow lovage. Not only is it an amazing herb for cooking, but it is also of great benefit to the garden ecosystem.

Perhaps I’ve gained a bit of patience or perspective this past winter, but instead of giving up, this time I just waited. Along with the twelve soil blocks seeded with lovage were blocks of sage, thyme, dill, parsley, and cilantro. I purposely paired it with slow-to-germinate herbs so none of us would feel pressured. The dill showed its lacy fronds first, and then eventually the cilantro and parsley blocks displayed a hint of green. Two weeks came and went, and then the sage appeared. All along, the lovage blocks sat empty while the other herbs continued to mature under the lights. Eventually, I stopped checking and carried on with my daily ritual of watering and shifting trays according to who needs more or less light. There’s a cadence to it that is comforting, and my eyes have now been trained to read the signs that indicate a shift is needed.

Adding new trays last weekend required everything to move. I then caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a seed leaf or cotyledon extending from one of the lovage blocks. It must have been a parsley seed gone astray, I thought to myself, and continued in my work. But then that evening, another had appeared. Hmm, could this really be? By morning, two more blocks showed signs of life, and so it continued this way all week. Today, all twelve blocks have lovage plants, and the true leaves have filled in. Amazing. Was it more time, my release of expectations, or the magic of a third try? Who knows but the seeds germinated, put down roots, and sent up leaves. The garden will now be graced with lovage, as will my cooking, not to mention all of the pollinators that are drawn to its early summer blooms.

Putting down roots, rooting, and being rooted are common terms used in our culture. Never before, however, have they had so much meaning.

My day and night dreams are filled with roots, protecting young roots, creating space for roots, and observing my own desire to root more deeply. The April rains have arrived, providing the gentle daily wash all roots crave. The root theme continued in the Gemmo Forest. This past week, two new projects took shape. Hardwood cuttings of Black Currant were slipped into permanent beds in our new and much-improved tree nursery. Joining them were river locust and willow hardwood cuttings, each encouraged to take root.

Just opposite the tree nursery, the wide, mulched expanse became home to 14 semi-dwarf fruit trees. A grant from ReGen Roots, a Massachusetts non-profit promoting urban orchards, paid for the purchase of these apple, crab apple, pear, and black mulberry trees. Our commitment goes beyond good care: as we pledged to donate 50% of the future harvest to the local community food bank. Digging holes wide and deep enough for each root system with summer intern, Lucie’s help, assured they were in place ahead of the evening thunderstorm. Over the next few weeks, their roots will adapt to this new setting as the cuttings will begin to form their first roots.

Through the weekend and on until Wednesday, the 22nd, the sun transits through gate 3. The corresponding IChing Hexagram is Sprouting, or Difficulty at the Beginning. Perhaps you have or will be taking steps to begin a new habit a new endeavor or a new way of being. In that state, sending down some roots can be useful to stabilize what feels challenged at the start. Beginnings are tricky and benefit from patience and perseverance. Not unlike the seeds, hardwood cuttings, and transplanted young trees. New ground will always feel different and at least a bit awkward, but given time, it’s no longer new but just what you do. As you navigate whatever that new thing is for you this week, just keep in mind those lovage seeds that germinated after all in their own timing.

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Until next week,

The sun transits through Gates 27 & 24

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