A garden is a magical place don't you think? No matter what's happening in life, with a bit of garden therapy, stress levels quickly drops, shoulder tension releases and a calmness washes over you. Gardening is the cheapest and most rewarding therapy going.
When people visit our homestead, they'll inevitably spend a lot of time out in the garden with me. They'll marvel at the peaceful and relaxing nature of the space. I'll say "You can have this too. Why don't you build a small garden when you get home"? They'll respond with reasons why they can't and we'll leave it at that. Often my friends will arrive home and miss that "garden feeling". I'll often get a call saying "guess what I just did?" Gardening is addictive. Once you get a taste, it's hard to resist wanting more.
Start small
photo credit @walkerland
Space, time and skill often deter people from starting. The thing is, you don't really need much of any of these things to get started. You don't need a lot of space, fancy equipment, skills or expertise. All it takes is a few seeds, soil, sunlight, water, a few containers and desire. Plant those seeds and with the garden you too shall grow.
Here's an inspiring example
photo credit @walkerland
I have a friend who's wheelchair bound and lives in an apartment. He loves eating chilli. One day he decided to grow his own hot peppers and make his own chilli powders. With no gardening know how and only a small balcony to work with he started growing hot peppers. He's been doing this for 4-5 years now and his pepper operation gets bigger and more elaborate every year. He learned by trying.
MORE reasons for you to start a garden
Photo credit @walkerland
Experience New Foods
You'll discover varieties that you've never even heard of. There are hundreds of varieties of heirloom tomatoes alone. Take a peek at Baker Creek Heirloom seeds. The selection will boggle your mind and introduce you to what food is really supposed to be about - diversity.
Save Money
Gardening can save you money so long as you plant things you like to eat. Tomatoes for example are great because they are expensive to buy. There's no point growing things like Swiss chard if no one will eat it. That garden space is better served by growing things you like to eat.
Selecting things that grow well in your climate is also a good idea as is selecting practical items. One year I devoted space for peanut plants. I was so excited about the idea of growing peanuts in the garden. In the end I got a whopping total of FIVE peanuts. It was still kinda cool but not a good use of garden space.
Express Your Creativity
Gardens don't have to be orderly, serious places. You can plant flowers alongside vegetables, create archways with vines and turn your garden into a creative and artistic space.
Happiness & Appreciation
A sun kissed tomato is food bliss that everyone should experience at least once and don't get me started on strawberries (we eat most of them right in the garden). When you grow and taste something for the first time, discover a new bug or a frog hiding in your cucumbers, or succeed at growing something challenging you will get so much joy out of it. Gardening can help you slow down and appreciate the small stuff.
Teach Your Kids
Your kids will learn and appreciate where food comes from! They can also help. Our five year old niece helps us plant seeds, water and harvest food. She loves it.
A personal Gym
Feel the warmth of the sun, dig and work and sweat. Let the garden be your gym.
Helping the Planet
Create a healthy ecosystem. Add a water feature for frogs and other helpful creatures. It can be so much fun to observe the activity in a garden. Plus you'll be helping wild bees!
Sharing & Community
Share your bounty with a neighbour or a senior because somehow food tastes better when you share it. Not only that but often you can swap and trade with one another.
Eat Your Weeds
You'll eventually learn about weeds and you should know that although they are a challenge, they aren't evil like we've been taught. In fact, you can eat a lot of them.
Learn New Skills
Knowledge is power and with a bit of effort you can teach yourself pretty much anything. Observe your plants. They will tell you if they are too hot, too dry, too wet. It's really not that complicated. Sure, bad things happen (like potato bugs) but you learn from that too.
To be a gardener you just need to plant something and nurture it. In return you'll be gifted with a beautiful plant, the purposeful hum of nature and a peaceful heart. Grab some cheerful seed catalogues and just start your garden already! (And send me pictures because I am obsessed with home grown food).
Be Well,
Charlotte
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Eat Your Sunflowers
The Homesteader's Food Rebellion
