30/07/2025
Kwentong Hardinero | Growth After the Storm ⛈️
Hi! This is Pusong Hardinero, your resident amateur gardener! It's been awhile since you've heard from me. I've been busy for the past few months. But I'm back! How are your gardens after Crising, Dante, and Emong?
My roofdeck garden has always been opened to natural forces. Whether it's the intense heat or outpouring rain, I just let them be. I try my best to mimic their natural habitat. That is why sometimes I install tents to act as a canopy or whatever the plant needs just to maximize their full growth. But I do not "baby" them. I let them endure.
Speaking of endure, did you know that plants grow stronger roots due to harsh winds? When plants are swayed by strong winds, they naturally clung more to the soil. In return, they'll grow a stronger root system.
Rainwater is also extremely beneficial to a plant as long as it's not being flooded or drowned. That is why whenever after the storm passes, no matter how much water it received, it is not overwatered. Rainwater naturally brings oxygen to the soil. It literally aerates the soil, making the roots to breathe easier. And yes, roots do need to breathe. (I'll try to elaborate more on overwatering on a separate blog)
However, your garden is still susceptible to damages especially when you do not prepare your area against storms. And even if you do prepare, unexpected things can still happen. During the three consecutive storms, my tent moved several inches to the left and wrecked some of my plants. The ropes that I tied on our railings snapped during the onslaught. It's a good thing I checked the garden from time to time or else it might have been worse. There were no permanent damages. Thank God!
After more than a week, clear skies are now on the horizon. And my garden has grown so much! They've been trying their best to show off their new foliage to me. My heart is filled with so much joy knowing they did not only survive but thrive. One prime exaple of that is my Variegated African Talisays that had its timely shedding before the storm. Now, it is sporting its new pinkish/reddish leaves. (Their leaves are usually red and will turn into pink and eventually white after a few days).
Who else had tumultous experience in their lives lately? I sure did. We can't avoid storms in our lives. We can view storms as trials metaphorically. And sometimes, God allows us to experience harsh winds to either test our faith or teach us something. Storms can even be the result of our mistakes. However, no matter the reason for it, the eternal purpose of God to change us from glory to glory still remains.
1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Check out some of my garden blog content regarding my experiences on storms as a gardener.
KWENTONG HARDINERO | Enduring the Storm
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17AJibpyca/
KWENTONG HARDINERO | Pre-Storm Prep
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16vutvjHk4/
