One Man Sharpens Another – even in the garden.

One of my favorite proverbs is “Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another.”

It Makes a Difference

I think it is nothing short of miraculous how others can cause us to be more committed, more dedicated, give us renewed zeal and enthusiasm, help us to strive to be better and to make a difference — just through their friendship and what they do and say.

First Hand Experience

Through the years I have been encouraged to accomplish more and reach for even greater heights by seemingly simple things that others have said and done, although I am confident they were not aware of it at the time.

“—Sharpening Another –“

I am always pleased when I learn that I have helped others reach higher, accomplish more, find a better way, and be encouraged in general.

For example: One of my readers who was able to visit my gardens last year with her husband and daughter said she had  longed for the skill of creating a beautiful productive garden. After visiting my gardens (which seemed to her to be teaming with life and so in tune with nature) she left feeling that her dream garden WAS obtainable.

One important thing she came to realize was that “you don’t have to know it all to be successful.” Her contentment and realization of being able to obtain her dream — to use her words — “was rooted in an innate understanding of the most basic gardening principle which we had neglected ( in our garden): good soil.”

And she is correct.  It is the soil, extremely rich in organic matter, that is the key to my success and to any organic gardener’s success.

Good Apples through Good Soil

In October I wrote a post entitled Apples  – Biologically Grown.

I told about Golden Acres Orchard, my source for wonderfully delicious apples that are poison free.

The founder of that orchard, Mr. AP Thomson – who died in 1986 – believed in raising “apples through soil fertility and understanding the interconnections of nature.”  He built his soil with cover crops.  Earthworms reproduced.  He applied compost and liquid seaweed. He avoided the poisons that the majority used. The soil thrived and so did the apples.

I agree with him 100% and feel that to truly be successful in raising good nutritious food this approach is necessary.

The Proverb in Play back in 1970

Yesterday, I was so pleased to see that someone who had known Mr. Thomson personally had found and read the post I wrote in October and left a comment about Mr. Thomson.

The lady’s name was Elizabeth.  Here’s what she said:

“I used to visit Mr Thomson back in 1970-1971 when our daughter was a baby and I wanted organic apples for her. We lived in Fairfax VA at the time.

I corresponded with Mr Thomson for many years about farming and gardening. I recall he told me he would rise daily around 4 am to write. He was a true believer in what he was doing.

I wrote an essay about the orchard and won a small scholarship to take agriculture and botany classes at U MD.

He was a wonderful, kind and giving person.

The apples and juice and vinegar were wonderful and very, very special back then-to have that quality – almost unheard of.  There was a person who tended the honeybees for him but I can’t recall his name.

The orchard was a dream to walk in – so alive!”

Final Thoughts

If you are not as successful in gardening as you would like to be —- you can be.  Join me in working with nature by improving your soil, mulching your soil,  encouraging the bees and “doing no harm” to your soil, your plants, the bees or yourself. It’s easy.

It’s sometimes called organic gardening.  It will do more for you than you can imagine.