Borage loves strawberry

In the name of Allah the most gracious, the most merciful

3 Dhil-hijja 1435.

 

How wonderful to be present in this month with all of its Barakah. Our hujjaj are preparing and are both nervous and excited for the culmination and the pinnacle of their journey. O would that I were there. We are just as excited, we walk every step with them and we patiently await the day of Arafah so we can fast while they are immersed in Thikrulaah, and when that cool little wind blows  Wuqoof, we are transported back in time. Before we know it, it is Eidul Adhaa and the time for qurbaan and then it’s time for the hujajj to return to their beloved ones.

red cheek apricot

Here at home the night is a bit chilly but grand and fresh - the sickle moon and stars grace the darkness. The property is peaceful, all the guests have left and our young have returned from the Three Strangers Tour. The Qur’an is being recited, refined, explained and even carved in wood, how awesome is that? Subhanallah.


Thus whatever we plant grows beautifully and yields much. This weekend we were privileged to have visitors- from young to very old who came just for a while to sit in between the greenery, to collect some green supplies and some plants to lighten up their gardens and of course the strawberries. I love watching the little ones linger in the beds, like manna from the heavens stuffing their mouths and enough to take home to their Moms.

work in progress

While the expeditions in the garden continues, the sketches and carving takes place. Wood carving has everything to do with patience and love. Love for wood and working it into shape. Shapes in nature – lillies and dolphins and roses. But by far the most beautiful are the calligraphy shapes, from Allah’s most high name to the name of the Nabi Muhamad SAW to the command Iqrah.

And while the carving is enjoyed till late in the night, the konfyts are made and sold, the last few melons will be cooked this week. So everything comes full circle. The Qur’an is read and studied here, the garden is the space where we see the learning in practice, the seed as it splits, and the carving and painting capture the beauty of nature and Allah’s names. The konfyt is made from melons from the soil. The students enjoy the bounties of the garden too and take the knowledge and enjoyment back home and start their own gardens. I am humbled by it all. So that’s why tonight I have made some time to share some of our goings-on here.

poppy splurge

The poppies have really splurged out and the flowers are beautiful enough to look stunning in the garden as well as in our vases. The basil seedlings are being planted out and the cucumber seedlings have made an arrival too.

borage in bloom

The borage that we planted are flowering. We planted them particularly because they are by far the best companions to strawberries and benefit the garden at large. It improves the flavour of strawberries and borage tend to deter many of the insect pests that afflict strawberry plant.  Additionally, they are a powerful pollinator attractor and can make pollination more robust; they bring other helpful defenders of strawberry plants: predatory such as praying mantis and predatory wasps.  It is also believed that borage plants increase the level of trace minerals in the soil in which they are planted making the strawberries planted near them even more beneficial for health!

ranunculi

The new pepper plants are standing strong with cloches for wind protection and the apricots have red cheeks! So veggie beds are already being harvested from - can you believe it? We planted three weeks ago and the clean seed lettuce heads are being plucked and the danya is just dandy for curries.

  So Alhamdulilaah every day we start our day in the garden sommer picking and eating and saving some for toppings on French toast and with yoghurt and ice cream. And we invite all in the area to come and enjoy the pickings.

Grow food and plant borage.

Yasmine