We all know that gardening may be, for most of us out there in the dirt and the rain, a tranquil activity rooted in the simple joys of nurturing plants and connecting with nature. We ponder what to plant and where, hoping that our efforts bear fruit. Well, sometimes they don’t, but we continue struggling. 

Sometimes plants don’t behave the way we want them to, or we have uninvited visitors, be they weeds, snails, or other beings we deem undesirable in our little world.

Have you ever thought of the fact that our gardening efforts could be compared to our steps and developments in the political environment that influence and reflect various aspects of society and governance? Because we tend to the land, which means to ourselves, which in turn ultimately means to our society and our democracy as we have known it.

In simple terms, gardening means cultivating land. But which land, if it is not your own? There is a question about land ownership, property rights, and access to resources. Of course, we know that, throughout history, control over land has always been a political issue. Conflicts have arisen, time and again, from disputes over land use, distribution, and ownership.

Looking over the fence of your own backyard and personal border, choosing what to plant and how to cultivate it can be deeply political. Just look at some societies where food production has been a focal point of political control and where governments use policies to exert influence over food availability, prices, and distribution. The dominance of so-called large agribusiness corporations has raised concerns about environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and, not to mention, loss of quality of life. This in turn prompts debates over the role of government in regulating the food system and promoting sustainable farming practices.

However, beyond the economic and environmental dimensions, gardening also has a social and cultural significance that ultimately impacts the political environment of any entity. Just have a look at community gardens that, especially in an urban setting, serve as spaces for exchanging ideas and for coming to a democratic decision on what to plant, for whom, and for what. At what cost? Does it impact neighbouring communities, the equivalent of states?

In diplomatic terms, it is certainly a challenge! But! This train of thought could be a brilliant way of reinforcing the social fabric of a neighbourhood, a nation, and encouraging the engagement of the people around you, the other nations. And it is simply a thought that our political leaders should adhere to: to make sure there is cohesion and civic engagement in an effort to make everyone’s place – wherever it is – a place where everyone can live comfortably and safely. Just as the plants to which we tend.

Let us all be gardeners, nurturing a society of plants and of people in a democratic environment, because this is what we need to survive.

Petra Hartweg came to Pointe-Claire 34 years ago after moving here from Germany. She is an interpreter/translator, working at the Alexander von Humboldt German International School. She loves literature, gardening, politics, and sewing.