Gardening is a primeval urge. From the beginnings of Scripture, we find ourselves in an intimate relationship with the land God has given us. So Adam is placed in the garden of Eden to "till and keep" it, before being exiled to till land elsewhere.

But the closest many modern Britons come to food production is a trip to the local supermarket. Despite our favourite harvest hymns, we are considerably more familiar with the sight of the inside of a refrigerator than the farmer ploughing fields.

Yet there is a great deal of satisfaction in agricultural pursuits. Taking on a plot, the labourer reconnects with nature. With effort and a little luck the results may be beautiful, edible, or both. Monastics, like Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael, have maintained gardens as a source of food, herbs and a space of prayer. So it should be no great surprise to find that modern writers are exploring the spiritual dimension of gardening.

Gardening with God is the title of a series of contemplative books by Jane Mossendew. The books form a seasonal ‘liturgy’ of plant cultivation. Mossendew associates a plant with each week of the liturgical year. In a chapter per plant she offers advice not only on the species’ cultivation but information about history and associated folklore.

In a personal, intelligent and highly approachable fashion Mossendew then explains the liturgical significance given to the plant. For example, commenting on Parsley she writes:

"And so the two paradoxical uses of parsley by the Greeks are matched by the salvific paradox at the heart of our faith, namely that through death, death itself is changed to life." (Week 10 of ordinary time, Crown of the Year, p. 76)

Each entry closes with suggested readings, and prayers of intercession. With Mossendew as consultant, you may be sure that your gardening endeavours nourish your spiritual life.

For further proof that gardening is a godly activity, check out Delia Halverson’s Growing the Soul. The 52 meditations are shorter than Mossendew’s, and focus on the activity of gardening rather than specific plants.

The headings are down to earth (forgive the pun) and encompass the simple messages with which Delia connects garden and scripture: Ants will be Ants; Blackberries, Precious Treasures; Seeds and Changes. They are followed by questions for reflection and brief prayers, for example on the topic Welcome to My Garden:

• What gardens have you seen that were forbidden?
• What gardens have you seen where you felt the presence of God?
• How can you make your garden more hospitable and a ministry to share with others?

Pray
I thank you, God, for creating a welcoming world. Help me to be hospitable to others by welcoming them into the gardens of my soul.

Each message is helpful and direct, accompanied by lively and inviting anecdotes. Growing the Soul would be a lovely gift for those no longer able to garden, as well as active enthusiasts.