In the morning, we began our day at the UBC Nitobe Memorial Garden, one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. As we strolled through the garden, we were struck by its calming and peaceful atmosphere. It’s early summer, so the landscape is lush and green—but I imagine it is equally beautiful in other seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, golden leaves in autumn, and snow-covered scenes in winter.
The Nitobe Garden serves as a bridge between Japanese and Western cultures. Designed in the traditional Japanese style, both architecturally and in its landscaping, the garden is a space of reflection and harmony. A highlight is the Japanese tea house, where visitors can attend formal tea ceremonies at scheduled times.
In the afternoon, we returned to the orchard garden to tend to our vegetable plants. The tomato and cucumber seedlings we planted last Thursday and nurtured with extra care yesterday looked noticeably healthier today. Some of us watered the tomatoes, while others prepared garden beds for future plantings, and even had the chance to plant a few Brussels sprouts. Our garden is becoming more vibrant; the raspberries are starting to ripen.
I was once again reminded of the effort that goes into growing even a single plant. From weeding and soil preparation to daily care, gardening is a time-intensive and thoughtful process. We were disheartened by the condition of our tomato plants yesterday, but seeing their recovery today was a powerful reminder that growth takes time, patience, and care. More than anything, this experience deepened our connection with the natural world—a meaningful learning outcome from our time in the orchard garden.
By Zeynep :)
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