Today was a lovely day in the garden. We learned how to make rope and weave using natural materials like daylily, bulrushes, and blackberry bark. These materials need to be dried in the sun and then rehydrated before use. Luckily, we had access to some that were already sun-dried, so we soaked them for about 20 minutes and got to work.
We also learned how to harvest fresh blackberry bark from the garden before using the prepared ones. There's something really satisfying about the harvesting process—finding light-colored bark, cutting at the edge, and gently pushing the prickles sideways to peel it off. It reminded me of how I used to remove prickles from rose stems in my family’s garden. It felt good to reconnect with something from my childhood.
I experimented with making ropes in different thicknesses, and they all turned out beautifully.
Then I started a basket using bulrushes—haven’t finished it yet, but I’m proud to be learning a new skill I can one day share with my kids and students.
On my first day at the garden, I was weeding and noticed how strong and deeply rooted those thin little roots were. It was tough pulling them out, and I felt bad disturbing the tiny ecosystems they’d created. But I reminded myself that clearing space is necessary for new seeds to grow. It made me reflect on how unlearning old habits or beliefs can feel just as difficult, like tearing out deep roots, but it’s needed for growth.
I'm excited to keep learning, unlearning, and growing alongside nature at the Orchard Garden.
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