Visions of Paradise at the Growing Home

"To Create a garden is to search for a better world. In our effort to improve on nature, we are guided by a vision of paradise. Whether the result is a horticultural masterpiece or only a modest vegetable path, it is based on the expectation of a glorious future. This hope for the future is at the heart of all gardening. Anyone who toils away at the soil must think a few weeks ahead or envision next year's garden, for most gardening is an exercise in optimism, Sometimes, it is the triumph of hope over experience."

Marina Schinz, Visions of Paradise, 1985

Strolling up the stone lined walkway, past the grape covered arbor at , my mind quieted as my heart took over. I had found Eden. The family with a mission to teach the wonders of sustainable gardening is teaching other things more elemental to the human spirit. 

Through their endless amendment to our clay soil with horse manure and other compost, Pearl, Ro and Rishi Kumar have established a garden unlike any other I have seen in Diamond Bar.  

What I felt as Pearl offered refreshment could be summed up in three words: Freedom. Love. Hospitality.  

There was a freedom of form and avoidance of constriction of the expected suburban landscape. The love they shower their garden with gives back with abundant blessing.

The hospitality of refreshments made at home and the sight of a salad sprinkled with a layer of bright orange nasturtium blossoms that somehow escaped the night time raid of the bunny brigade- only a stone statue could not have felt the warmth of the garden-keepers.

Back at home with the loquat seedling, I am looking forward to the day I will eat the tartly flavored, creamilicious fruit.

The enthusiasm of the family should come with a warning label: it is contagious. 

Thank you to the Kumar's for spreading your garden-fever. May no one ever contain or cure it.