Companion Planting Allegory

A group of gardeners is looking to grow food for their community. They are mindful of the colonial history and current context of the land they occupy. The gardeners want to break the cycles of extraction and occupation by building a garden with and for the community that will have long-term benefits for collective health, wellbeing, and autonomy.

When the gardeners are ready to plant their seeds, they begin by cultivating the soil. They make sure the garden will have all the nutrients it needs to thrive – plenty of sun and water, nitrogen and oxygen, and other necessary vitamins and minerals. The gardeners also ensure the garden will be welcoming and supportive of pollinators, as these relationships are necessary for the plants to bear fruit.

When the conditions are ready, the gardeners select and plant their seeds. The gardeners know that the healthiest gardens are ones that nurture a diversity of plants. So the gardeners select different varieties of seeds to grow together, those that are good companions for each other. The different characteristics of the different plants support a healthy and sustainable environment for the whole garden.

The gardeners plant the seeds and begin the intensive work to care for them. The gardeners use their individual and collective strengths to care for the plants and mitigate threats to their growth. As the seeds grow, the gardeners continue to make sure they have the sun, water, and nutrients they need. They continue to weed and fertilize as needed to keep the garden healthy. The gardeners ensure the garden is open to, and in relationship with, diverse pollinators from across the surrounding environment to support the plants to fruit.

Once the plants bear fruit, it is time for the gardeners to harvest and share the food with their community. Through this harvesting and sharing, the gardeners are able to see the impact of their garden in their community and how the fruits help to nourish and strengthen the people and environment around them. After the harvest, they gather seeds from the fruit to plant again and share with others. The gardeners also prune and compost. Leftovers become more nutrients for the garden, and help prepare the garden for the new growing season.