For many generations, my family has been gardening and passing on the knowledge and love of growing our own food and herbs. It is more than just a hobby or pastime for me. Aside from the obvious benefit of being able to eat the fruits and vegetables that my garden produces, the physical and mental benefits are vast. The work I do in the garden is very different from a ‘workout’ routine. Digging, raking, planting, weeding, and harvesting can be excellent physical activities for keeping me flexible and strong as well as maintaining a healthy weight, supporting muscle health, and reducing risks to my cardiovascular system. Gardening is mentally therapeutic. I feel calm and grounded when I spend time with my hands in the dirt, giving life to a tiny seed. Gardening can lend itself to all types of moods. I can approach it with a well-planned mindset where I order, schedule and map out all of my seeds, plants, beds and walkways. Somedays I can just enter the garden with a simple, carefree, chaotic or just curious mind. Whatever my mood, the garden is such a happy place for me.
Growing herbs and other culinary or medicinal plants is another area of interest for me. For me, gardening has grown way beyond just fruits and vegetables. I just love the wonderful aromas that fill the air when a light breeze wafts through the mint or the oregano. I have taken lots of time learning the health benefits of herbs and other native plants so that I can share this knowledge with my future generations. There are so many ways that plants can support our health. The so-called weeds that grow in a garden are not always a bad or invasive feature. Some weeds (native plants) can be used medicinally as well as be helpful to the plants that they grow close to. Weeds can help protect against soil erosion, and can be an indicator that some extra mulch in that area may be necessary. Weeds tend to grow and flower sooner than most vegetable plants which helps attract and nourish beneficial pollinators early in the season. They feed them until my garden plants offer up their nectar or pollen. As weeds die off and break down, they add nutrients to the soil, which helps maintain soil health and create a good environment for worms and beneficial microbes. With every passing season, I like to reflect on the way that gardening has helped me and the environment. The food and medicine that I’ve grown and harvested have been such fulfilling bonus prizes. I am always very excited about my next gardening season, but this time I have an extra level of excitement and anticipation. I have moved to a whole new climate. I now have the opportunity to learn about different plants, gardening techniques, and weather effects. I have spent many years in New England, so moving to a southern state has me over the moon with the prospect of learning about growing many different types of plants, vegetables, fruits, and even an outside cactus garden.
I hope to share my new projects and adventures soon.