With spring now fully upon us in the northeast, small green things are finally poking up through the earth. Only weeks ago, our world was still shrouded in the remnants of winter’s wrath; but now the neighborhood lawns are covered in blankets of brilliantly blue Siberian Squill – a hardy, little flower that transforms even the dullest yard into a faerie wonderland.

Such is the magic of flowers. The have the ability to brighten any space, whether they have been nurtured in a luxurious greenhouse or struggled to emerge through a crack in the sidewalk. They inspire us to pause in our daily round and drink in the miraculous beauty that is around us. The first flowers of spring – crocus, tulips, snowdrops, and daffodils – these are also harbingers of hope, of light after the darkness.

Children are like that, too.

And so, though I am hardly a master gardener, I could not help but see the similarities between what it takes to raise strong and thriving plants and what it takes to raise happy, healthy children. What they need from us – as gardeners or parents – is actually quite similar.

Create the right environment
To start with, you need to create a space that is nurturing. You must prepare the soil – loosening it to let it breathe, pulling out any rocks, tilling it through with nutrient-rich food so that it will provide all the sustenance young things need.

Encourage strong roots
More important than what grows above the ground, is what grows beneath. Making sure that the roots run deep and wide will give young seedlings the foundation they need to stand tall and firm in later years.

Give all things in moderation
Water, sunshine, and fertilizers are all important to growth, but can be harmful if given in excess. Do not over-indulge your charges. Nourish them generously, but avoid a heavy hand.

Provide the right supports
Some growing things need a little extra support as they climb towards the sun and grow into themselves. Know what kind of support you need to provide – a stake, lattice, or a single thread. Tailor the support to the need and know when it is time to let the youngster grow on its own.

Keep weeds to a minimum
Aggressive and invasive weeds can choke out other living things, clutching at their roots, draining the soil of life-giving richness, blocking out the sun. Make sure to keep weeds in check – always digging them out earlier rather than later. Emerging weeds are much easier to remove than mature ones.

Talk and listen
The most beautiful flowers are the ones who have been nurtured not only with sun and rain, but with the gift of conversation. Listen to growing things and offer words of encouragement and support. Do not judge their progress, but tell them you believe in them. Whisper sweet nothings every day.

Be patient
Patience is more than a virtue for a gardener. It is a way of life. Everything blooms in its own time. Don’t rush the process. Don’t fret if it takes longer than you expected. Just watch quietly and continue to offer your love and support. One day, you will wake to find a surprise that will be more beautiful for all the waiting.

Value hardiness
Though part of you may want to keep your young seedlings under a glass dome like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s little prince, do not. The best gift you can give is the gift of hardiness – of being able to survive and thrive on their own, even when the environment is not perfect, even when they may have to wait a long while for sunshine and water, even when they don’t have the benefit of your kind words.

Look beyond the names and pedigree to see the beauty of the individual
All flowers are beautiful, but each is uniquely so. Treasure each blossom for its own perfection. Do not get caught in the trap of measuring against a standard. Though other blossoms may be bigger, brighter, or sweeter, even the tiniest, most humble flower has a special magic – the magic to make us stop in our tracks so that we can enjoy the fragrance and brilliance of this small, perfect piece of the universe.

Image Credit: Kelly Cookson