The garden in Seedfolks, which was once a vacant lot, brings a neighborhood of people together that are all different races, religions, and have different ideas about life. Even though none of them speak the same language, they all learn a universal language that brings them together as one. The garden invites people with its warm welcome that symbolizes hope for a better life.
The garden symbolizes a few different things, and it changes for each person that tends to it. Overall, the garden represents hope for a better life to all those who plant their seeds. Many of them believe that their lives will grow stronger as their seeds sprout up from the ground. They want to see a change in their life, and their plants help remind them of hope for the future. The garden almost became its own club because it was a place where everyone could be a part of something. Each member of the neighborhood felt like they belonged. Even Maricella, who explains herself as an outcast, tells that she felt that she belonged to something. "She said how it wasn't some disgrace to be part of it. She said it was an honor." (page 57)
Vegetables aren't the only things that grow in the garden. Friendships begin to grow and develop as the people get to know each other. Seeds are planted, and they become stronger the more time they spend together. Certain people looked down on others before the garden was started. They begin to see that they are all more alike than they thought. Sae Young tells about an experience of the garden, and how it made their friendships stronger, almost like a family. "Next day, thunderstorm. Cans almost full. Little girl there, very proud. Someone bring three old pots to scoop water out of cans. Hard to pour into narrow containers. I put one by each garbage can. That day I see man use my funnel. Then woman. Then many people. Fell very glad inside. Feel part of garden. Almost like family." (page 39)
The main theme that is developed throughout the novel has to do with people coming together despite their differences. It is shown that people from any race, ethnicity, or culture can come together through the garden that grows in this neighborhood. The people that spent time in the garden became less prejudiced and judgmental as the garden grew in size. They also made many friendships that helped them as individuals. People performed many deeds of kindness through the garden, and they used it to help others. They began to understand each other even though they had different backgrounds, and they didn't speak the same language.
The end of the book shows the power of the garden, and the promises it held inside its walls. "But the garden was still empty. I was disappointed. I suppose it was still too early to plant. I began to wonder if anyone would come. Maybe no one was interested. Or maybe the city had shut it down, or sold the lot. I was worried. Then one day I passed it--and someone was digging.
It was a little Oriental girl, with a trowel and a plastic a bag of lima beans. I didn't recognize her. It didn't matter. I felt as happy inside as if I'd just seen the first swallow of spring. Then I looked up. There was the man in the rocker.
We waved and waved to each other."
This garden that was started by one small Vietnamese girl brought together a whole neighborhood, and it grew much more than fruits and vegetables.
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