In his poem (below), “A Package of Seeds,” Edgar A. Guest captures how easily we take for granted the amazing life force within a simple seed. He highlights how seeds are “a miracle of life” — a power that no one person here on this earth can create.
We at Grow Your Health Gardening stress the importance of every step in preserving the life of the seed we grow whether we are harvesting or collecting seeds, or patiently drying, handling, storing, or transporting the seeds we grow. We think it is essential to keep in mind at all times that inside each seed is not only a dormant baby plant but contains encased in this tiny capsule called a seed, intricate code that carries on the next generation of nourishing food perfectly fit for our body. And it is continually amazing to me that this seed already has everything it needs to grow the moment it is given the opportunity.
The healthier the plant while it lives without succumbing to pest, disease or chemicals from the environment, the stronger the code of its DNA. The more the plant is adapted to it’s growing environment, the stronger the code of its DNA. The more care in watching how much a seed experiences moisture and temperature fluctuations while in storage, the healthier the seedling which leads to stronger code of its DNA. Russel H. Conwell understood the importance of starting with good seed when he said, “I ask not for a larger garden, but for finer seeds.“
I ask not for a larger garden, but for finer seeds. —Russell H. Conwell (1843-1925)
Finer seeds… What is the value of good health? I say it begins and ends with finer seeds. We should not take for granted good organically grown seed that will nourish our body. It should be treasured.
It’s amazing how much inflation has affected the price of seed lately, but still in the greater scheme of things, seed is still effectively quite inexpensive compared to ready-to-purchase produce. As I came across this poem today while doing some research I thought it was a good time to pause and just remind myself what an amazing gift these plants are to our body. And by the way… here in zone 7B, it’s time to plant poppies and pansies! 😉 What one thing will you do today to grow your health gardening?
Cheers! — Erin
“A Package of Seeds”
I paid a dime for a package of seeds
And the clerk tossed them out with a flip.
“We’ve got ‘em assorted for every man’s needs,”
He said with a smile on his lip.“
Pansies and poppies and asters and peas!
Ten cents a package and pick as you please!”
Now seeds are just dimes to the man in the store
And dimes are the things he needs;
And I’ve been to buy them in seasons before,
But have thought of them merely as seeds.
But it flashed through my mind as I took them this time“
You have purchased a miracle here for a dime!”
“You’ve a dime’s worth of power no man can create,
You’ve a dime’s worth of life in your hand!
You’ve a dime’s worth of mystery, destiny, fate,
Which the wisest cannot understand.
In this bright little package, now isn’t it odd?
You’ve a dime’s worth of something known only to God.
—Edgar Albert Guest
Poet (1881–1959)
British Born and American Immigrant who was often referred to in his time as the “The Poet of the People”. He published more than twenty volumes of poetry and was thought to have written over 11,000 poems.
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