The Importance of Persistence in Sustainable Gardening

Being persistent is not always seen as a desirable attribute. Sometimes, those who are persistent are seen as being like a dog with a bone that they just won't give up. Some mistake the concept of persistence with that of pushiness. They think that giving in can lead to a more harmonious existence.

I would not for a second suggest that we should cling doggedly to certain ideas or practices that simply do not work or do not fit our lives, nor that we should hammer home our own points of view without listening to other peoples'.

But persistence is defined as “the fact of continuing in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.”

At its core, it is a concept that means not giving up and not giving in. I would argue that persistence is something that we all need more of in our lives.

Persistence is an attribute that allows us to endure, survive, and thrive. It gives us, and the environments around us, resilience, which is why I would argue that it is important in sustainable gardening—just as it can be in so many other areas of our lives.

It can be difficult to continue to hold strong to your beliefs if you are bucking trends and doing things differently than the status quo. As a sustainable gardener and organic grower, you may sometimes, like me, find that you hold opinions that differ from those around you.

Reveling in a «messy» garden with weeds and wild plants promoting a healthy diversity, letting your lawn grow, or pruning less may be things that set you apart somewhat from more neat and tidy gardeners. You may feel some pressure to make your garden look like your neighbors'.

Of course, organic gardens can look many different ways. But however your garden looks, it is important to stick