Practical Magic in the Garden: Abundance
Practical and magical ways for abundance in your garden.
I’m a firm believer in magic. Everything is energy - and everything is connected - and therefore when we put a little intention towards working with the energy of things, I not only believe in the outcomes but I’ve experienced it firsthand.
Yet, we also live in a very tangible, practical, physical world.
So, that’s why I’m introducing a little series that I’m calling, Practical Magic in the Garden. (And also, because how can you not be excited for the Practical Magic 2 coming out this fall… where my elder millennials and witches at?!)
In this series I’m going to share with you some - you guessed it - practical things I do in the garden for abundance, protection against pests & disease, and welcoming wildlife while also sharing with you some of the more magical practices I have to do the same.
So get your garden gloves on and your grimoires ready… it’s about to get wild and witchy.
The Practical Side of Things
First up, let’s talk PracticalMagic when it comes to abundance in the garden.
Practically, there are a few key ways that I look to increase abundance when it comes to my cut flowers and plants in general.
Pinching: Certain plants benefit from a quick pinch as they’re growing. By pinching the center stem, it encourages additional stems to branch out leading to more blooms.
Close planting: All plants come with suggested spacing, and for things like perennials that’s important (they want their room), but for annuals and most cut flowers, planting closer together not only makes it look more abundance, but it also forces the stems to grow tall so you have a plethora of long stems perfect for cutting.
Fertilizing: This might seem like an obvious thing, but feeding your plants really does help them along. Healthy soil is the foundation, but additional applications can be really helpful. In the beginning of the season I’ll use a general organic fertilizer over the whole garden, and then when things get growing I’ll use a foliar spray with fish fertilizer, molasses, and a few other things to help the flowers along.
Growing for your climate/zone/soil: There’s a reason that certain plants thrive in certain conditions, while others will fail miserably. Paying attention to the growing zone you’re in, in addition to your own microclimate (because yes, even gardens on the same street can have different soil, elements, etc.) can be really impactful when it comes to having an abundant garden. Have you ever tried to plant something that needed shade in a spot where it got too much sun? What about planting something that looks really cool but isn’t able to hold up to the cold climate of your winter? It might seem obvious, but it’s important to keep in mind.
Pictured (left to right): Close planting, the USDA Growing Zone Map, Pinching dahlias to encourage more stems & blooms.
The Magical Side of Things
Now let’s talk about the more magical and intentional side of things. And while you don’t need to have a spell book or a witch hat in order to embrace this side of things… if you do, I’m here for it.
Herbs: The symbolism of herbs is something that’s been used and cherished for thousands of years. I plant certain herbs around my garden and also bury certain herbs I’ve dried or harvested around my property. As I do this, I share my intentions… casting little spells if you will… in hopes that the land and energy of the herbs will respond. My favorite herbs for this are basil and mint, although I’ll sometimes also add a dash of cinnamon if I’m feeling spicy (pun intended).
Crystals: Certain stones have different properties associated with them (and you can see that just by looking at them). I like to bury little sachets of crystals that carry the symbolism of abundance. When it comes to gardening, Moss Agate is a favorite along with Citrine and Clear Quartz.
Music: Did you know that the earth is said to have a sound frequency? Many believe that 528Hz is the foundational frequency of nature and the earth. So, I have a playlist on my phone of music that matches that frequency and often when I’m out working in the garden I’ll have that music on. I think of it like a nice little gesture to the plants… almost as if I’m telling them I’m on their wavelength.
Wishing Well: At some point in your life, I’d suspect you took a penny and threw it into a wishing well (or something of the sorts… pond, fountain, etc) with high hopes that someone or something would help it come true. That’s the sort of magic I think we lose when we grow up, so why not add a bit of it back. I have a wildlife pond and a bird bath in my garden, and in each are coins I’ve tossed in connected to a little wish. I also built a tiny wishing well that sits in front of my faery house where I leave coins and trinkets. Not only are coins symbolic of abundance (when it comes to the material realm anyways) but I think wishing as a whole is symbolic of welcoming abundance into our lives.
Pictured (left to right): Green Moss Agate crystals, my mini wishing well, mint that I harvested and buried in certain sections of the garden.
Some of this might seem a little “out there” - totally get it, and honestly, that’s absolutely ok. But I always think “what’s the harm?”. As someone who values and believes in science and data… yet also knows that we as humans aren’t capable of fully understanding the way that everything works…. I like to think having a bit of magical faith does more good than harm.
We live in a world that so often loses the wonder and the connection we have to the natural world. We lose our intuitive knowledge and the magic that lives within us once we realize that responsibility and “real life” are our priorities. But I say, why does it have to be one or the other? It’s the combination of both the magical intention AND the practical action where it all really comes together and ends up creating the outcome we’re looking for. And let’s be real… one is far more fun than the other.
These are by no means exhaustive lists, but it gives you an idea for a place to start for the next time you’re looking to bring a little practical magic into your garden, too.
This is part of a series. You can read the rest of the series here: the practical magic of protection and the practical magic of wildlife.
Ready to Grow with Intention?
If this post resonated and you want to take your garden a step further this season, Rooted in Magic is for you. This is a practical guide to growing flowers with elemental intention - including plant guides and suggestions, information to help you plant with the moon, and simple layouts to get you started.
Turn your garden into something even more magical this season.
