May 20, 2017
Spring has always and will always be my favorite time of year. Everything about this season is just so refreshing and energizing, from the fresh smells of rain to the sounds of birds singing and the beginning of new life in the garden. Spring is the beginning of so many things and for many people, including me, it means its time to get planting.
Gardening 101
As a child, my parents always had a vegetable garden, for as far back as I can remember. So for me it was such an exciting time of year from the planting to the caring for and then of course the ever exciting harvest later in the summer time. So of course it just seemed right for me to start one now that I have children of my own. And truthfully, I still consider myself to be a big kid at heart and get absolutely giddy when I see those first sprouts start to come out of the ground, my little earth babies coming to life.
I can tell you from experience, that building and caring for a garden comes with a lot of work and certainly some frustrations but the benefits far outweigh these in my opinion. A garden, which can be as small as a few pots on a balcony or an entire backyard plot, provides endless excitement and if you plant your seeds right, an abundance of whole, delicious and plentiful food right through until the first frost and even after.
When I first started gardening on my own, I had a few containers on my deck with herbs and a couple pots of tomato plants. This seemed like enough for me at the time and I could whip up a mean batch of marinara sauce, but as the seasons passed I knew I could do more and so I did. Last year I constructed a raised bed in my yard, its 6×8’ and let me tell you, I crammed about as much goodness into that garden as I could. Big mistake! I had more kale and collards than I could ever need, my neighbours were even sick of getting it from me when I shared my bounty. But that’s the beauty of gardening, it is a new season, I’ve learned my lesson and I’m ready to plant a whole new combination of veggies this year and in the right proportions.
The benefits that come from planting your own garden are plenty. You get an opportunity to plant something from a seed and nurture it all along the way so it can grow to its full potential. This in and of itself is such a gratifying experience but it also allows you to get outside, get your hands dirty and really connect with nature, such a soothing and grounding practice.
A garden can also be an endless supply of wonderfully nutritious and delicious produce. The options are truly endless when it comes to what to plant in your garden just be sure to plant things that you like to eat and you can never go wrong.
Another benefit, for me particularly, is you get to share this wonderful experience with others. I am teaching my two children the importance of planting food and how to take care of our garden and when we have a crop we bring it in, wash it and eat it. Now they know where at least some of their food comes from, not just a grocery store or market. This really gives them a sense of connection with their food and a deep sense of pride knowing that they helped to grow it.
A garden can also be very economical. I spend at least $25 a week on greens alone, spinach, kale, collards, arugula, etc. In the spring and summer I can plant each of these greens for a few cents a piece and reap the benefits of their bounty for almost 4 months. This alone saves me approximately $400 and that doesn’t include all the herbs, tomatoes, beets, beans, rhubarb, peppers and cucumbers I’ll be planting this year.
Finally, by planting a garden, I feel like I am doing my small part to reduce my environmental impact and my carbon footprint. All the produce that I grow I will not have to purchase from a grocery store, and more importantly not have to be transported over hundreds or even thousands of miles to get there.
So my final thoughts to you, if you aren’t already, go out and grow something. Plant a seed, give it water and love and watch it grow. You will be amazed by how much joy a few plants can provide.
Be well and happy growing!!
Stephanie
