Spring has come and for our Homesteading family, that means we can finally get outside and enjoy the outdoors more after the slowdown of winter. You see winter is the time we spend dreaming of all the life Spring brings forth. From what baby chicks we will hatch to planning the layout of our raised beds, winter is spent cozying up enjoying the previous season’s harvest.
Our family consists of five boys ranging from adulthood to our youngest who is seven. Our seven-year-old is diagnosed with Autism, which brings some different considerations into play for our family throughout the seasons. Thankfully, we have a God who knows all and a Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and discernment as we plan for these seasons.
Genesis 8:22 says “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, and day and night Shall not cease.”
So, what does the transition of seasons look like for us? To start, because we have a small homestead, our family goes into Spring knowing we will be outside as much as we possibly can. There is no shortage of tasks to be done when Spring comes. Being outside is a sensory heaven for our sensory seeking kiddo, not to mention, the health benefits that come from sunshine and gardening.
When planning my garden, I make sure to have a few things in our garden to engage our kids, a variety of scents, piles of sand and dirt, a hammock, a fence, and even a small hot tub or some source of water play. The layout of my garden is intentional as our kiddo with autism elopes, which means he does not take into consideration the need to be with an adult hence the fence. So, while most people install a fence to keep out deer, mine serves a dual purpose. The hammock, sand/dirt, and hot tub keep my kiddo happy while I garden.
The variety of scents is also to serve a dual purpose. Not only does it draw you in with your senses, but a lot of the herbs and flowers I grow also serve a medicinal purpose. You see our kiddo doesn’t like band aids or taking any form of medication. Okay, that’s an understatement, he down right refuses. So, in my garden, I focus on growing anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial plants that I can make into healing salves for wounds, burns, and common ailments. Did you know garlic can be used when an ear infection is coming on? Simply mix chopped garlic, coconut oil, olive oil, and some lavender essential oil in a blender and apply to the ear. Full Recipe can be found in the book “Be Your Own “Doctor”” by Rachel Weaver, a homestead and parent must have in my opinion.
We have other considerations to think about when planning our garden due to our son’s PICA. PICA is a diagnosis in which a person eats items that aren’t food or have no nutritional value and can likely lead to bodily harm. Our youngest also has this diagnosis. Why does this change things for the garden? Did you know common plants sold at stores and grown for their beauty in many gardens are highly toxic if any part of the plant is consumed? Not just a little poisonous, but also can be fatal, are elephant ear, larkspur, rhododendrons, azaleas, and mistletoe. All parts of the plants just listed are poisonous if consumed in any amount. While researching plants this year, I learned Rhododendrons are not just poisonous to us if consumed but also can cause bees pollinating the flowers to create what is known as “Mad Honey”. When humans consume this honey, which is a known neurotoxin and hallucinogen, overdose can occur and can be fatal. Some others to take into consideration are delphinium, elderberry, rhubarb, mountain laurel, wisteria, foxglove, and even the bulbs of daffodils.
For our family, this means we research what we are planting thoroughly and where we are planting. Plants such as elderberry and rhubarb serve a purpose on our homestead and thus the location of planting is important. Though I love foxglove & delphinium, there is no nutritional value to plant such things. Their seeds alone could run off in water into dirt my kiddo may decide to put in his mouth at some point and thus have no place here.
As believers, it’s easy to question why would God put poisonous plants on Earth, and didn’t he say the Garden was good? In Genesis, God does say this however after Adam & Eve eat from the forbidden tree, he also says the ground is cursed. In verses 17-18 we see the Lord tell Adam the ground will now produce thorns and thistles, and we will eat the plants of these fields for all the days of life. God also tells us through Solomon in 1 Kings 4:29-34 that having knowledge of plants is wisdom. We know that Solomon was said to be wiser than all of the people in the East and Egypt from these scriptures.
So, as we plant our gardens, even those just meant for flowers and curb appeal, are we planning with wisdom and discernment? Are we planting to cultivate and steward the ground like God intended? Are we planting to nurture our bodies and the animals God has given us dominion over?
Genesis 2:15 says “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
I pray that as the seasons change the Lord will bestow the wisdom needed for stewarding and welcoming all of creation to your garden.
