wheelbarrow-421368_1280Hi, my name is Jeanie Alksne.  I wear many hats in my life as I’m sure many of us do.  One of those is a gardener, another a yogi and a student of what nature is showing us if we just stop to watch, listen and contemplate the deep meanings that nature shows us with simplicity.

When Sheryl asked me to write a guest blog for her community I gladly said “Sure!”  Then she said “Great! I’d like one for the January edition.”  You might think much like I did initially, ‘What? A gardening article in January? But what are the plants doing now???’  Well, as usual there are great lessons in exactly what the plants are ‘doing’ now!

First off, if they intend to make it thru the winter, they took note of the changing environments and made some adjustments!

Dormancy– Organisms can synchronize entry to a dormant phase with their environment through predictive or consequential means. Predictive dormancy occurs when an organism enters a dormant phase before the onset of adverse conditions. For example, photoperiod and decreasing temperature are used by many plants to predict the onset of winter.Consequential dormancy occurs when organisms enter a dormant phase after adverse conditions have arisen. This is commonly found in areas with an unpredictable climate. Very sudden changes in conditions may lead to a high mortality rate.

So, a plant survives by observing its surroundings and making preparations!  But what preparations?  Well, if freezing is expected they dry their leaves and shed them because even they know.. water freezes!  And they don’t need them for photosynthesis because there isn’t much sun. (note they aren’t trying to save them because they’ve always been there even tho there isn’t enough water and there is little sun!  They simply let them go!  Next, they send their life energy deep within and to the roots where they can be protected from the harsh elements!

As humans, what can we learn from these beautiful natural plant behaviors?

  1. Take time to look around and notice if things are changing so you can make adjustments
  2. Let go of that which no longer serves its purpose in the new environment (hint, leaves gets regenerated to fertilize the roots!  There is no waste!)
  3. When the time is right, rest! Draw up all of the activity you do and just rest.. (You will need that stored energy come spring)

Until next time…in life as in the garden, what is nature trying to teach you?  Observe, take action, rest!

Jeanie Alksne and Sheryl Sitts have enjoyed a friendship that spans over thirty years.  Jeanie’s passions include gardening, travel, and yoga.  She has much to share on these topics and it is an honor to feature her insights on holistic living in harmony with nature here at  Journey of Possibilities. ~ Sheryl Sitts, Founder

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