Bethnal Green Nature Reserve

A guide to watering and letting things flow

One of the most important parts for any garden or living plant is water.

The right amount of water, not too little not too much, just enough. In this particular time, we have to be aware of how can we preserve water, how we can improve the use of water (like rain water containers, timed irrigation systems or the old but reliable watering can). One of my first experiences while taking care of the medicine garden, was to water the beds one day a week. I thought to myself this was a nice thing to do in the hot months of the year. Easy, plug in hose and water away. It will take me a few minutes and be done with it.

To my surprise the experience turned into something deeper. During a shared moment with a friend, while chatting away, we got to know each other — and we got to know the site better. One will see some things that the other haven’t noticed.

On the days I got to do the task on my own it became a small time to breathe to be in harmony with the site. Watering time became my meditation, the time for me to be one with my surrounding and take a breather.

This is when interesting things started to happen to me, and something shifted. I started to notice that some areas needed more attention, some other ones, thrived on a little bit of neglect. So much like in life, we need to pay attention to those parts that are delicate and need a little TLC. Insects will react in various ways to the soft pray of the water. While little spiders will scurry away, bumblebees and bees will come closer to the water and fly around it.

Everything seemed like a little dance, a happy time for plants and insect. You can start feeling the relief that brings watering to plants after a hot summer day, immediately some plants will perk up and their colours will become more vibrate.

All senses felt more and more engaged in the activity.

Birds chirping, a cat following me around guarding the hose, butterflies fluttering around, rainbows spreading in the arch of the water spray. Then the last bit piece of this fabulous magic orchestra was the scents. Lavender, thyme, oregano, flowers, all mixing together and releasing happy hormones in my system. Once I was used to rush and finish tasks as fast as possible, not I could take my time, no rush, just being in the moment. I then noticed that my initial intention was to take care of the garden, but I wasn’t aware that the garden was in fact the one that was taking care of me all along. From this experience I understood that there are some things we need to let flow and to be surprised.

—

Written by Magdalena Gomez

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One of the most important parts for any garden or living plant is water.

The right amount of water, not too little not too much, just enough. In this particular time, we have to be aware of how can we preserve water, how we can improve the use of water (like rain water containers, timed irrigation systems or the old but reliable watering can). One of my first experiences while taking care of the medicine garden, was to water the beds one day a week. I thought to myself this was a nice thing to do in the hot months of the year. Easy, plug in hose and water away. It will take me a few minutes and be done with it.

To my surprise the experience turned into something deeper. During a shared moment with a friend, while chatting away, we got to know each other — and we got to know the site better. One will see some things that the other haven’t noticed.

On the days I got to do the task on my own it became a small time to breathe to be in harmony with the site. Watering time became my meditation, the time for me to be one with my surrounding and take a breather.

This is when interesting things started to happen to me, and something shifted. I started to notice that some areas needed more attention, some other ones, thrived on a little bit of neglect. So much like in life, we need to pay attention to those parts that are delicate and need a little TLC. Insects will react in various ways to the soft pray of the water. While little spiders will scurry away, bumblebees and bees will come closer to the water and fly around it.

Everything seemed like a little dance, a happy time for plants and insect. You can start feeling the relief that brings watering to plants after a hot summer day, immediately some plants will perk up and their colours will become more vibrate.

All senses felt more and more engaged in the activity.

Birds chirping, a cat following me around guarding the hose, butterflies fluttering around, rainbows spreading in the arch of the water spray. Then the last bit piece of this fabulous magic orchestra was the scents. Lavender, thyme, oregano, flowers, all mixing together and releasing happy hormones in my system. Once I was used to rush and finish tasks as fast as possible, not I could take my time, no rush, just being in the moment. I then noticed that my initial intention was to take care of the garden, but I wasn’t aware that the garden was in fact the one that was taking care of me all along. From this experience I understood that there are some things we need to let flow and to be surprised.

—

Written by Magdalena Gomez