Do You LOVE Your Plants?

I borrowed a book from the library the other day called "The Natural Magic of Mulch: Organic Gardening Australian Style" by Michael J Roads.

I've not yet gotten interested enough in gardening that I enjoy reading Gardening Books. I enjoy Gardening Magazines but often find Gardening Books rather boring. Perhaps because it's so much to absorb at once?

But so far I'm finding this book really EASY to read. Which is great!!! Not sure if it's the book or whether I'm just becoming a "gardener"????

The first chapter is called "Understanding Plants" and wasn't anything like I'd have expected to find in a book about gardening.

Here's an excerpt:

"In the most simple possible terms - plants respond to human love. In all my years of gardening I have repeatedly proven this, to my own satisfaction. But, rather than offer you any proof, I offer a simple challenge - try it. Any plant you are growing, be it a vegetable, flower, fern or tree, all respond to an atmosphere of love. The green thumb syndrome is no less than love. Every person who has a green thumb has a love of plants - and of Nature."

When I was first searching for a name for this blog - I wanted something with the words "black thumb" in it. Because I consider myself to be a "black thumb" gardener. So any advice on how to turn my thumbs a little greener always grabs my attention.

Here's my "theory" on this:

My Grandmother was definitely a green thumb. Whenever we visited her, it was pretty much mandatory to take a tour of her garden with her. To be honest, I found that rather tedious as a child and a teen.

BUT, she was in her garden every. single. day. Not because something needed doing but because she LOVED it so much. It meant she was constantly monitoring how her plants were going. Picking up on problems early.

Love also involves understanding and tending to needs. So I guess I can understand it from that point of view as well.

But I get the impression from reading this chapter that the author sees a greater benefit than simply physical needs provision in the loving of plants. He concludes the chapter by saying:

"The life force carried through the stem and leaves of a plant is the same life force which animates your pet cat or dog. When a plant dies the life force is withdrawn, just as with a dead pet.

Respect this life force and love it, no matter whether it flows in pets, plants or people. We only need to OD on Love to experience the world in a more positive and beautiful way."

So, what do you think? Do plants thrive from human love? Is there a level to gardening that only true plant-lovers really understand?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.