Growing Deep Roots

It is August in Texas, and we all know what that means…

Gardening has halted. Gardeners throughout Texas are in a complete state of depression. Gardens look as though the angel of plant-death has walked in through the side gate. Currently, there are three color hues featured in the August Texas garden… yellow-brown, brown and charred toast. Everything around is crisp, even our attitudes. August is the time of year when Texas gardeners take a train ride on a downhill spiral, questioning why anyone in their right mind would ever want to live in a climate such as this, let alone try to establish a garden. After a few “woe is me” conversations with my husband (and a swift come-to-Jesus talk) I am reminded of a few truths about living and gardening in seasonal droughts.

First, seasons of drought won’t last forever. That’s a promise. The rains will come and the temperatures will cool off. It’s important to keep our eyes on the big picture. We plant gardens for tomorrow’s beauty. Some seasons are for rest and other seasons are for preparing for the good stuff that is coming. Seasons of drought can give the gardeners both rest and anticipation, if we keep ourselves in the right mindset.
Second, more importantly, plants and their gardeners must have deep roots to survive seasonal droughts. This is where faith steps into the picture. Roots reach down and cling to the life source of water, deep beneath the surface. Gardeners everywhere must do the same. We can’t have superficial hope. We must not give up. We simply can’t quit gardening, nor sit in the grief and mourn the unending seasons of drought. Gardeners must have a deep rooted faith and believe upon the promise that “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life”.

Life isn’t perfect my friends. Seasonal droughts in the Texas Hill Country are to be expected. We shouldn’t be surprised when the temperatures rise well into the triple digits. August is a very dry season, but Fall is coming. I don’t know many areas (or gardeners) that don’t experience hard seasons from time to time.
Deep roots aren’t developed in perfect growing conditions with fake flowers and white picket fences. We grow deep roots when times are tough. We reach down, pull up our boots and somehow find the same grit that our ancestors had as they overcame their particular hard seasons and obstacles. Whether it was a 14 year old Danish orphan who traveled alone to America for a better life, or a young child from a family of Texas sharecroppers who painted this lovely little flower, while resting on break from the hot Texas sun. Roots are desperately needed during the hard seasons life. Roots become the preservation of the garden and the soul of the gardener.

Texas gardens never cease to amaze me. With such harsh drought conditions, these plants simply refuse to die. Instead, they simply retreat under the earth, drop a few leaves and start focusing on growing deeper roots. Texas plants and gardeners waste no time or energy on false pretenses, investing in plants that grow roots. Deep roots like that of a 300 year old Live Oak Tree. I love growing native Lantana, Salvia, Cow Pen Daisy, Desert Willow and (of course) Heirloom Bulbs.
During seasons of drought, some folks might see a burnt landscape, but the Texas gardener sees beyond. We focus on what will be, not what is. We have faith that the season of drought will indeed end, remembering that Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and believing in the things unseen. During seasons of drought, plant your garden for the beauty of tomorrow.

Know in your heart that seasons of drought won’t last forever.

Rest and prepare for the good stuff that is to come.

Believe that deep roots last, much like that 100 year old child’s painting, so root yourself in Faith.

Grow your roots, my friends. Grow deep, deep roots.

Know, rest, believe and Grow.

Happy Gardening!