The Joys of Gardening

How do you like to relax and unwind? One way that I relax is to putter in my garden. There are many aspects to gardening: planting, weeding, fertilizing, watering, trimming, pruning, transplanting, and harvesting to name a few.

Late in the winter, before spring arrives, I begin planning my gardens. I think of what vegetables we like to eat, and which ones will grow in the space available. Some plants need to be started inside a month before they can be planted outside. Watching the small seeds suddenly emerge as stems and leaves from the soil, reaching for the light, contains the promise of things to come.

Planning also involves trips to the garden nursery to see which plants are available to add to the garden. Choosing the tomato varieties, the types of cucumbers and lettuce, adding kale and herbs, complete the plan I had made early in the spring.

Teaching small children reminds me of the work that goes into gardening. Much planning is required to begin teaching. Teacher training programs, workshops, peer tutoring are all excellent ways to begin. From there, a teacher must look at the goals and outcomes for their students and plant the seeds to produce the results in each student.

Each student must be given space to grow and the freedom to express their individuality in their learning journey.

Along with the vegetable garden, the annual flower garden requires planning. Lower growing plants that will spread need to be planted along the front with taller plants in behind. Each year the colour scheme is planned: red and white; purple and yellow; blue and pink – the colour combinations are almost endless.

The small seedlings are gently transplanted with the right spacing to allow space according to the expected size of the plant. I carefully cover the small plants each night to keep them warm and water and fertilize them during the day.

With teaching, even though the goals and outcomes may remain the same, the planning is different each year depending on the students in the classroom. Adjustments are made and new activities developed to meet the needs of the individuals.

The joy I experience as the plants take root and begin to grow fills me with happiness as I look forward to harvest time. This same joy is experienced as I see the excitement and learning in the growth of students.

Another section of my garden is dedicated to perennial plants. Fig trees, apple trees, grape vines, hops, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are cultivated for the fruit. Each plant requires different care such as pruning and fertilizing at the right time.

As a private music teacher, I value the responsibility of working with students over a number of years. Students learn at different rates and private lessons provide the opportunity to personalize the instruction needed over time.

Some students grow quickly and need to be constantly shaped and encouraged to explore their musical abilities.

Some students develop slowly and need much repetition to grow in confidence to be ready to go forward.

Bringing in the correct exercise or composition along with theory at the appropriate time is necessary to lead each student to success in their musical journey much the same as pruning and fertilizing in the garden.

I recently looked back at music recital pictures from five years ago and was pleased to see the smiling faces of my students. Many are still working with me and have progressed from the short 30 second pieces to much more complicated music.

Their achievements with music exams and performances over the years is as much a motivation for myself to continue as it is for the students!

Much the same as looking at my maturing garden and reaping the fruit, I listen with satisfaction and amazement to the advance music making happening around me.

Teaching in the classroom and in the music studio allows me to share my love for music, passion for learning and to hopefully pass this passion on to each of my students as they continue their journey through life.

Happy gardening!

Louise Cianflone

ARCT, BGS, M. Ed.

Educator, Musician

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Flavio and Louise Cianflone

Music Transcends All Life Publication

Flavio Cianflone (Nanaimo)

B.Sc. Ed. M.Ed. P.B.C.E.

Copyright 2021

FLAVIO CIANFLONE

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0oXwVXA_rw4XxM6QuUg0w

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