Because of Florence, we learn that eventually, sometime in the future, the garden gets a makeover, with a tool shed and new spigots. Florence doesn’t actually plant anything in the garden because she has arthritis. Back in the day, she was a librarian and always keeping busy.

Our gal Florence may call herself “just a watcher,” but we find out that she’s actually a super attentive observer. In fact, she reminds us of another onlooker: Ana, from Chapter 2—just a little less creepy. In fact, Florence tells us she feels “proud and protective” of the community garden (13.4).

Wendell does plant something, or so we can infer from the text, but the book does not tell us what it is. Leona plants golden rod; Sam, pumpkins; Virgil, lettuce; Sae Young, hot peppers. Curtis plants tomatoes, while Nora, something of a dreamer, plants less practical things: hollyhocks, poppies, and snapdragons.

Many of the characters specify what they are growing, because what they grow is significant in some way. Curtis plants tomatoes in an effort to show his ex-girlfriend Lateesha that he has changed. Virgil’s father plants lettuce because he has heard that fancy restaurants will pay top dollar for fresh lettuce.

In order to connect with her late father, on a cold April morning Kim starts a garden in a littered vacant lot on Gibb Street in Cleveland, Ohio. In real life and from his photograph, her father has never laid eyes upon her.

In Seedfolks, Leona helps the garden through her intelligence and perseverance. She is appalled by the garbage that has been dumped in the “vacant” lot.

Why does Wendell take his time filling up the water pitcher? He is getting really old and it takes him awhile to do things.

When Ana calls Wendell, he rushes up to her apartment. And based on the fact that Ana wants Wendell to look at the wilting plants through her binoculars, we now know that this is the same Ana from Chapter 2.

The most pressing problem facing Maricela, however, is her pregnancy. This leads her to drop out of school and causes conflicts with her parents. She doesn’t view her pregnancy positively, at times considering abortion or wishing for a miscarriage.

What are some of the things Wendell says he can’t change? He can’t make the world loving and kind. He can’t bring the dead back to life.

What caused Tio Juan to change “from a baby back into a man?” It was because of Tio Juan knowing how to farm. Why was Gonzalo embarrassed by his father and his uncle? He was afraid someone might see him standing with is uncle.

As Gonzalo watches his great-uncle plant the seeds, he realizes he doesn’t know anything about growing food, while Tío Juan knows everything. He also notices that Tío Juan’s eyes are focused, not confused—suddenly, he’s changed back into a man.

What helps Tio Juan change from a baby back into a man? He is able to plant something familiar int he gardern. He learns to speak English quickly. He moves back to Guatemala.