Seedlings: let them play outside

Wind is here again to stir up the the beauty and mess together. It is time to stay indoors Sowing seeds indoors is what I am doing today and I can’t help but think about the seedlings that will soon emerge. In the comfort of indoors they have no idea of the havoc wind creates outside. So they complain about the trivial and get fussy. I have learnt not to raise them to be spoiled weaklings so I start hardening them outdoors as soon as temperature is suitable for survival.  They are meant to be outdoors, they are meant to fight to survive. If I sow the seeds outdoors, then the ones to sprout and grow, would be strong fighters and cheerful players. But in my attempt to be frugal with seeds I sow them indoors. 

Fight is not among themselves, because I, the gardener intervenes, and assures ample space and nutrition for each. Their fight is with other elements of nature. They have it in their DNA to grow strong and  to fend for themselves. They also have it in their DNA to play with the elements and other life forms in nature.

So I let them get a taste of gentle breeze even as young seedlings. I let them learn the buzz of the bees. Technology helps me not to forget them outside for long. As they grow I increase their outdoor time. I let them feel the sun, hear the birds and let their stems and leaves sway in the light breeze. This playfulness with light breeze will help them learn to balance their stems and strengthen and expand their roots. Inevitably one day they will be facing the wild desert wind, dry, strong and merciless. But the next day the gentle breeze will return and they will once again start to repair, start to play.