By Candace Minster, garden manager/fiber projects coordinator
I've always loved greenhouses, especially in late winter. As morning’s light begins a little earlier, we have to layer a little bit less, and the occasional warm, sunny day hints at spring soon to come.
These longer days mark the beginning of the garden season.
We get out the garden maps and choose what goes where and how much to plant. Then we begin the process of fumbling with tiny seeds and plug trays, and watering religiously to coax the little plants into existence.
One of my favorite garden chores is watering in the greenhouse. Waving the wand over the flats, I like to search the soil for the first seeds to break through the surface.
Even David and Gideon got in on the game with me, as we all try to be the first to spot the newest sprout. Searching the seedlings for the one that is just...NOW breaking through fills me with wonder, excitement, and hope.
At this point in the season, all we have are plans and hopes for the garden that is to come. We look at the plots of cover crop and see only possibility. We haven't yet struggled with the weather, pests, weeds, and diseases that try our patience in the hottest days. We begin each day with a little seed of hope.
In this way, the greenhouse becomes a house of hope. It feels good to walk in from the cold and be greeted by hundreds of eager green leaves reaching upwards. To be surrounded by such life when there's little growing outdoors is rejuvenating. Besides, whether they be two-legged, four-legged, or rooted — it’s pretty hard to resist babies.
White Violet Center is dedicated to hope and healing for Earth and I see the greenhouse as the heart of our mission. It's only fitting that our greenhouse be a functional, vibrant place, inviting visitors to come in and take a peek.
For years, we struggled with a beautiful, historic structure that was falling apart. Each garden season began with a ramshackle attempt to make mini greenhouses within the greenhouse, stretch heating cables, plug in space heaters, and layer numerous layers of plastic. Even though it was integral to the garden, it was time to let that that aged building go.
Now, through many generous donations and with the able work of David and Dick’s hands along with other volunteers, we have this little house of hope.
To me, this building not only ensures that we'll have the best start for our garden plants, it also represents the hope that we have for White Violet Center's future — continuing to plant seeds of hope and healing for Earth for many years to come.
 |
| Candace Minster, standing at left, gives a greenhouse reflection during the dedication of White Violet Center's new greenhouse. |
These longer days mark the beginning of the garden season.
We get out the garden maps and choose what goes where and how much to plant. Then we begin the process of fumbling with tiny seeds and plug trays, and watering religiously to coax the little plants into existence.
One of my favorite garden chores is watering in the greenhouse. Waving the wand over the flats, I like to search the soil for the first seeds to break through the surface.
Even David and Gideon got in on the game with me, as we all try to be the first to spot the newest sprout. Searching the seedlings for the one that is just...NOW breaking through fills me with wonder, excitement, and hope.
At this point in the season, all we have are plans and hopes for the garden that is to come. We look at the plots of cover crop and see only possibility. We haven't yet struggled with the weather, pests, weeds, and diseases that try our patience in the hottest days. We begin each day with a little seed of hope.
 |
| Young plants inside the greenhouse this morning. |
White Violet Center is dedicated to hope and healing for Earth and I see the greenhouse as the heart of our mission. It's only fitting that our greenhouse be a functional, vibrant place, inviting visitors to come in and take a peek.
For years, we struggled with a beautiful, historic structure that was falling apart. Each garden season began with a ramshackle attempt to make mini greenhouses within the greenhouse, stretch heating cables, plug in space heaters, and layer numerous layers of plastic. Even though it was integral to the garden, it was time to let that that aged building go.
Now, through many generous donations and with the able work of David and Dick’s hands along with other volunteers, we have this little house of hope.
To me, this building not only ensures that we'll have the best start for our garden plants, it also represents the hope that we have for White Violet Center's future — continuing to plant seeds of hope and healing for Earth for many years to come.
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