Every year I grow a garden from seeds. I usually start to sow the first of them in February. Some seeds need a long time in the soil before they are ready to reach for sunlight, others sprout in 24 hours. I’ve learnt a lot from growing a garden. Like, how long it takes before a plant is strong enough to bear a tomato, or a cucumber, and how little I know about how to help it, other than to give it the care that I am able to give. And how powerless I am to the elements, and the caterpillars who chomps away at my kale every year, and how I can’t bring myself to kill them, because they need food too. Or the magpies, who regularly makes a mess on my balcony when they are rummaging through the pots. For what, I don't know.
Beautifully written!