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Faery Gardening? What's That?!
No matter what historical reference you use to spell human’s name for “wee folk,” faery, fairy or faerie gardening is a welcome trend for all ages. Perhaps you’ve read Mark’s story about Ben and the “Elfin Herb” years ago and know that we point out faery herbs throughout our entries, because we believe! Like the spirit of Saint Nicholas, faeries are also known as “God’s littlest angels,” and their spirits live in our gardens. Ask any child.
Faery lore is a wonderful way for the older generation to teach young children about the magic of gardening. Using simple, fun stories to help them remember some rules (even those you make up yourself) are marvelous. One of my favorites is: Faeries stow away their babies in rosemary flowers, so when you pick and eat a flower, remember to first giggle it, so that the faeries can get their babes out of harm’s way. (Avoids undesirable protein too.) Another is to “never eat a foxglove flower as this is where faeries nap during the day.” Good memory jogger as they are also poisonous. As faeries are the caretakers of flora and perhaps early big tomatoes!, you would do well to invite these shy, hardworking, fun loving folks into your garden. Please, consider planting a secret faery garden with a child and pass on your love of gardening to the next generation.