Rain, Hail, Sunshine and Soup in the Garden
by Mark O’Connell
Refugee Support
This week as part of DIG, we welcomed 13 visitors from Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support @dcrsplymouth to cook Iranian soup and propagate plants for the Wellbeing Microbiome Garden. We drilled shiitake plugs into alder logs from the farm and sealed them with wax. Half the group were families from Latin America (Columbia and El Salvador) who were unfamiliar with Andean tubers like mashua and oca. Tijan, an experienced Gambian farmer, led the plant sowing and propagated; daylilies, Chinese artichokes, and even moringa seeds (which have anti-cancer benefits). He shared special sage-like tea and forest honey.
Soup for the soul
There was laughter and joy with quite a few children and a rich cultural mix. The rain and hail excited the children who collected glistening ice balls from the ground. As the sun returned, we sat in a large circle enjoying warming Iranian soup cooked by us and led by Amir, a skilled chef. The hearty soup with parsley, pearl barley and farm vegetables was served with handmade flatbread using flour made from heritage wheat grown at the farm!
We made progress in the wellbeing garden, digging the area for a beach around the pond leading to a planned sensory path alongside the water feature. The beach will hold painted pebbles celebrating Tifa on March 15th.
The planting prepares the garden to become a Microbiome Garden in May, a groundbreaking endeavor by ecological designers Sid Hill and Chris Hull to nurture gut health and interconnect soil, plants, and wellbeing. They are preparing for Chelsea Flower Show (@sidhillecogardens and @chrishullgardens).
At its heart lies the Microbiome concept—a holistic health approach acknowledging gut flora's vital role. Here, amid vibrant flora, we explore the intricate dance between soil, plants, and the human microbiome.
Our DIG plants will complement Sid and Chris' initial planting which will boast an enchanting edible wildflower meadow with gut-positive plants. Sweet dock, lupins and camassia take center stage, their vibrant blooms and nourishing properties symbolizing nature and humanity's symbiosis.
With each cooking session and planting, we sow diversity's seeds and cultivate connections transcending borders. Good for the soil, our souls and bellies!