Resisting Nature or Living in Harmony With It

Nature obeys fundamental and immutable laws. Nothing is left to chance, as we have already said, and everything depends on everything else. Rather than trying to resolve a problematic situation, it is better to understand its causes. The idea is by gaining control over the cause we don’t have to deal with its effects. Otherwise, we have to fight against nature… and humans are clearly not capable of changing the laws of nature.

Cause and Effect

Here is an example: fungal diseases often take hold on plants that have experienced a sudden change in water availability. This was the case this summer in parts of Canada and possibly elsewhere as well. If a plant lacks water or receives too much at once after a drought, it becomes stressed and vulnerable, as it is already weakened. Under these conditions, it can no longer defend itself against attacks.

In the case of cucurbits, you may have noticed cucumber plants or other cucurbits whose foliage turns yellow and dries out to the point where the plant will no longer produce fruit because it cannot photosynthesize. This situation often occurs after a very hot and dry period. If, unfortunately, the foliage softens due to the heat, fungal diseases often appear 8 to 10 days later. In such a situation, even if you fight to treat the disease, it will not solve anything if you do not understand the cause of the problem.

Stress or Prosperity

We must ensure that our crops are not under stress. In nature, a plant that experiences too much stress will be naturally eliminated and replaced by a plant that has been able to thrive in that environment.

We must not lose sight of the fact that what we grow in our gardens are plant varieties that do not exist naturally in our environment. Have you ever seen tomatoes or cucumbers growing wild in a meadow that you can harvest like raspberries, blueberries, or apples? Raspberries, blueberries, and apples, even though they are plants that grow naturally, are not immune to insects and diseases if they are not in right conditions.

Many people have adopted container gardening. For some, it’s because they don’t have land. For others, it’s because it’s decorative or practical, as you can garden at your own height. However, regardless of the reason, everyone will be faced with greater management of the plants’ vital needs. Water management is more difficult. Managing nutrients and the temperature of the growing medium—everything is artificial! This means you have to control what happens naturally in the ground. You will be more prone to stressed plants, and therefore to insects and diseases that are more frequent and sometimes difficult to eliminate.

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure

As they often say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! We can achieve this if we understand how nature works. Just because humans decide something, it doesn’t mean that nature will bow to their choices. In my lectures on this subject, I often give the example that nature is a bit like ocean waves crashing onto the beach. Even if we stand in front of them and try to stop them, they will hit us in the face and continue on their way to the beach. But if we understand their power, why not use it to surf on them?

Nature is generous to those who respect it, because it gives us life. It nourishes us, protects us, and shows us the way to live in harmony with it.

It has left us with great principles that I strive to practice and familiarize myself with. Every time I harmonize with nature, I reap its rewards. That said, understanding the great environmental laws and principles does not mean that you will no longer have any problems. However, it does allow you to understand why these problems arise and helps you to accept them. I believe that this is part of the resilience that we must develop in our world.

I wish you a beautiful fall, bountiful harvests, and above all, the ability to live in peace, love, and harmony with your environment!