Time is a great excuse to stop even things you love to do. Though we all know it really comes down to a choice, we let time, or the lack of it, sometimes rob us. This is exactly what I did when it comes to gardening but this past year that changed.
Maybe it’s my age but I realize that I appreciate what’s happening out there in my backyard more than ever before. The peace that digging in dirt brings my way is something I just never thought about in the past. Concentrating 100% on planting, weeding and watering, then watching as the growth springs forth as I battle the pests that want to eat the same things I do. It echoes life.
I have fond memories from my childhood of being on my grandfather’s farm and watching men and women work from sunup to sunset as they sweat for hours on end in the West Texas hot summer sun. Sometimes we were fortunate to work beside them and we learned quickly what hard work is. I still marvel at those who continue to work this way. It was a good lesson for me and my brother and it feels good to be back outside working hard toward a purpose; even if it’s only for fresh vegetables throughout the year.
What a gift working outside in a garden brings if you are brave enough to unwrap it with care. The education one receives through nurturing beloved plants and learning how to tend to the ones that are in need of food and water is profound. In the world that we live in today, we could all use a refresher course on caring, and gardening is a great teacher.
If you choose, you can garden on a year round basis. In most parts of the country you will need either a cold frame or a garden greenhouse of some kind. Most people recoup their investment in a couple of years if they choose to grow some of their own food. Statistically, many families are starting to do this all over the world.
In conclusion, it just makes since to obtain the knowledge and know-how to take care of yourself and your family. Why put the future of yourself and your family in the hands of a grocery store, food prices or the government when you can very well grow your own. It feels better knowing you’re taking care of a part of your food source. You control the pesticides and what you grow. It doesn’t get any better than that.
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