Do You Have A Garden, Why Or Why Not?

[Vickis Girls]

Gardening...Seems like such a long time since I took down the corn stalks and tomato cages last Fall. Winter lasts too long. Our growing season is a short 100 days, so I have to be choosy and find short season veggies, but it's so worth it. I love the smell of the dirt when it rains, and just the feel of it if I'm barefoot. I have 2 huge rhubarb plants that flank the garden's entrance just for the beauty of the leaves. No one here likes the taste of it. Sometimes I plant things just to see them grow. I love gardening. I have huge perennial beds as well, and when the winter blues get me down, I plan a new one. I can hardly wait till Spring. We had another snow storm yesterday, but just think...it's almost March!!!
Vicki

 

[BReeder!]

I have a garden. Why? I guess it's just because I enjoy eating fresh, home grown food. Gardening for me is a labor intensive hobby. Indo not claim it to be a relaxing hobby. In fact, I stress over it plenty. Weeding, planting, building beds, hoping for fair weather... it's work and stress. The benefit for me is in the only easy part of gardening: eating!

I will admit, it's not all stressful and hard work. Now that we have children, it's actually getting to be a little but more fun. My son is 4 so he gets to help plant seeds and water starter trays. He is eager to help in the garden with planting, digging, watering, mulching and so much more. It's all work to me, but for him there's the joy of helping and getting his hands dirty. I get pleasure from seeing him so happy as he grows the garden "up, up, up!"

Additionally, I started gardening with my grandmother, who passed away just last month. As I started hagen activities recently with planting some starters, I find comfort in memories of gardening with her. This year is going to be a little different in that way.

There's also the quality of food that comes from a garden that is so different than the grocery store. Fresh vegetables grown with care just taste so different - of choose its got a lit to do with the seed stock. I try to not grow vegetables just for size and quantity, but for taste. Everybody who has grown a tomato with old fashioned taste understands how wonderful fruit and vegetables can be.

Gardening is not just fruits and vegetables either, raising poultry is part of it too for me. The rich compost we get thanks to the chicks and ducks manure its incredible in the garden. The birds also enjoy bugs, "weeds", and trimmings and overripe produce that all comes from the garden.

Lastly (although there's so much more), a garden is just a thing of beauty. E get to walk out the door and see lush greenery full of colorful fruits and vegetables from Spring to Fall. This year e are taking flowers a but more seriously too so we can intensify that beauty in the garden and spread it out being the garden gate onto the patio, the flower need around or house, the stairway our front, along the driveway and so much more.

I is hard work and stress that goes in, but all the things that come out of a garden are well worth it.

 

[SamuelRichards]

I only dream of a large garden, because the yard is not very large, there are fruit trees and a greenhouse in which I grow vegetables, first of all it brings me great pleasure, working in the land I relax, of course it is not always easy, but eating vegetables and fruits harvested and grown in their garden are very pleasant and useful.

 

[Sally PB]

My garden was my "part time job" that paid in food, not cash. No taxes taken out either.

I didn't "get" gardening when I was a kid. My mom, her mom, my great aunt all grew fantastic flower and vegetable gardens.

I get it now. Mom, Grandma, Aunt Lou, I get it now. Thank you.

 

[Sally PB]

Sometimes I just have to reply to a thread even if it is a zombie thread...

 

[Artichoke Lover]

I garden first and foremost because I enjoy it. Even if it is stressful at times. I love the idea of leaving a legacy for my future children and grandchildren by planting perennial fruit trees and bushes and nut trees. My of my plants are cuttings or divisions from friends plants that their parents or grandparents plant 50-60-70 years ago. Produce is expensive here but gardening supplies are cheap. I can get a package of 300 cabbage seeds for less than the price of head of cabbage at the store. And I love fresh fruits and vegetables. I grow most of my own food and that gives me peace of mind. especially with what the past year or two has been like. I have struggled with my mental health on and off for at least the past 6 years or so gardening helps a lot if nothing else it constantly gives me something to look forward too. Especially with being trapped at home do to the COVID situation. Not to mention it gets me out to get some exercise!