Author and master gardener Margaret Rose Realy has a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty, and her books skillfully combine the task of planting and caring for God’s creation. Her latest book, Planting with Prayer: The Catholic Gardening Handbook, shows experienced gardeners and those who are just learning the skill how to develop a contemplative outdoor space.
Planting with Prayer helps the reader discern the plan for the available space and select the gardening tools that will help complete the job. But Margaret’s real purpose in designing a garden is to create a place for prayer. She encourages you to think about what kind of objects help create your spiritual landscape. As an example, she notes that a rock, strong and unmoving, may feel strong and secure, while a blue gazing ball inspires contemplation, and tall grasses encourage openness.
As the reader grows in understanding of the prayer garden’s purpose, Margaret reflects on other elements of design such as color, texture, size, bloom cycle, fertilizing, and composting. Many pages are to be filled in by the home gardener. Here in the “Weekly Steps for Success,” the gardener can keep track of temperature fluctuations, rainfall, winds, insects and other pests, soil adjustments, and the celestial sphere (levels of sunniness, cloudiness, and pollution). On each page, Margaret has included a “Prayer Focus” that will help gardeners look back on the growing season, reflecting on the positive changes in their garden and in their spiritual life. Click here to read more.