On September 16, take a walk along a beach, follow a trail in Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park, or dig around in your garden. Why? Because, according to timeanddate.com, it’s Collect Rocks Day.
The day encourages people to learn about geology—the study of Earth’s materials and how they’re formed.
Here on Kodiak Island, affectionately called “The Rock,” we know all about rocks. They’re everywhere—close to the surface, in our gardens, and under every new raised bed. Any gardener who has ever dug a hole for a shrub knows what I mean!
When I visited my friend Oscar Dyson, a longtime Kodiak fisherman, he was trying to transplant a rhododendron. Leaning on his shovel, frustration written across his face, he said, “All them rocks! They float to the surface!”
When Rocks Tell Garden Stories
In my garden, I see rocks everywhere—from ten-million-year-old stones collected at Fossil Beach to painted ones I’ve found along trails. But last week, I discovered one that stood out.
While strolling around the garden, I came across a rock painted like a ladybug. It was a gift from a young boy who found it on a trail years ago. He’s 18 now. That little stone reminded me how much peace lives in the present moment—especially in the garden.
Slowing Down to “Garden Speed”
I love quiet mornings in my garden. They help me organize my thoughts far better than any to-do list. Life moves fast—too fast sometimes. Our minds spin with worries about weather, news, and dinner plans.
We bring that same rush into the garden. We yank weeds quickly, rush through watering, check our phones, and lose focus. But the garden invites us to move differently—to slow down to garden speed.
So What Does “Garden Speed” Mean?
Plants live fully in the present. They grow, bloom, rest, and prepare for winter all in their own time. Watching them reminds us that not everything needs to happen right now.
And so, here’s a little inner dialogue from my walk among the beds yesterday:
Sweet calendulas, you’re still blooming! You resilient little things.
Snap peas, what a bounty! May I pick a few for dinner? Thank you.
Hello honeybees—how was your trip from the library? Love your buzz!
A few weeds? I’ll pull them gently, one by one.
Compost thermometer? 160 degrees. Not bad for a two-day-old pile.
As I walked toward the front garden, I looked out over the water. I stopped. The breeze moved through the currant leaves; the air smelled of wet grass; the sun warmed my face.
Silence.
Stillness.
Presence.
Why Slow Gardening Matters
Finally, these garden moments give air to my soul. They slow my thoughts and help me feel grounded. Maybe we all need more of that—less hurry, more presence.
Which reminds me... A local yoga instructor agreed to let me record her guided meditation for gardeners. Give it a try. It might be the most relaxing 12 minutes of your day...
What’s the rush? The soil, the plants, and even our hearts are at their best when not hurried. Those quiet, connected moments are exactly why we garden in the first place.
I hope you find time to slow down to garden speed this week—among your peas, your bees, and everything that grows between.
— Marion
Kodiak, Alaska Garden Calendar
- Prune Berry Bushes (Raspberries, Currants, Gooseberries)
Remove old, non-bearing canes and thin out overgrown areas after a few frosts. Trim dead or damaged branches and any that grow too close to the ground. Save pruned canes for plant markers or supports. - Plant Daffodil Bulbs for Spring Color
Choose a sunny or partly shaded spot with well-draining soil. Loosen the soil to 12 inches and mix in compost. Plant bulbs 2–3 times as deep as their height, pointy side up, spaced 3–6 inches apart. - Attend “Nature Nerd Night” (Free Event!)
When: Wednesday, Sept 17 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Kodiak Soil & Water Conservation District, 301 Research Court, Rm 245
Learn to identify local organisms using iNaturalist and the Seek app. Bring your photos, plants, or fungi samples in containers.
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Call Janet at 907-486-3227 or email [email protected]
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