I remember growing up with a huge lack of appreciation and an even “huger” lack of interest in our family garden. Oh the regret. Looking back, I really wish my mom would have forced me (like, your grounded unless every tomato is picked, no sleepovers until the weeds are gone, sit with me or I will sit on you kind of stuff) into learning about what all she was doing in our back yard. She had the best garden ever…in my mind I can still see tall plants of corn, strawberries that seemed to take up half the garden space, green beans that were as plump as Angelina Jolie’s lips, and oh the tomatoes. My mom had the most amazing assortment of tall luscious vines of tomato plants. If only I could see this garden now…I would love nothing more than to sit together with my mom – pulling weeds, talking, sharing, learning all about her magical ways in the garden and even more about life.
Gardening has this unique ability to bring you not only closer to Earth, but to those you love! How can a garden better your relationships? Oh the ways. How about the fact that it takes a lot of quality time to take-care of your garden and what better way to spend that time than with someone you care about? Perhaps your children? Your husband or wife? (Yeah – my hubs would be like “ugh, would you just pull the weeds and stop talking so much LOL) Think of all of the ways you can annoy your spouse conversations and memories you can create together while tending to plants. Of course, then you are blessed with wonderful fruits and vegetables that need to be cleaned and cooked! I know our kids love helping me in the kitchen and we are looking very forward to finding some new tasty recipes that we can cook together. It can be a fun learning experience for everyone involved! My thumb was black as a child, but it has slowly turned more green through the last several years. I can see the value now as an adult and because I did not take advantage of this experience with my own mom as a child…I want to do things differently with my kiddos. I will sit on them if they show a lack of interest! I am kidding of course, but one can threaten right?
I received these videos that I really enjoyed and wanted to pass along to you. Let me just tell you that I do not work for Home Depot nor do I have any kind of relationship with them except for the fact that they are the ONLY supplier of gardening stuff in our town. So due to this monopoly lack of choice, I subscribed to Home Depot’s newsletter and that is the reason I saw these. That said, I do like our Home Depot and especially enjoy their big orange “car carts” for the kids to “drive” through the store! Moving right along.
Here is a nice video on raised bed gardening!
If space is a problem for you, you can always do container gardening….where ever you have sunlight!
I really hope you will consider planting even just a few vegetables this season. The rewards are plentiful and so worth all of the effort. If it seems overwhelming, maybe you could just start with a few of your favorite veggies? So whether you have been gardening for years or just beginning – have fun! That is what it’s all about. And guess what, someone else may remember that smile of yours 25 years from now as they look back and remember your garden, shucking corn in your backyard or the cookouts with fresh salad!
Aren’t memories wonderful? Do you have a favorite memory of grandma’s garden, mom’s plants, a neighbors flowers that you can almost still smell as if they were right beside you? I would love to hear…
Video Credits: Home Depot
Gosh, I want to do something this year, but never have and am nervous since we don’t have a lot to spend. I have to do it “right” because it would kill me to end up with stuff that doesn’t grow because of my inexperience.
I’ve been thinking of trying to grow those topsy turvey tomatos that we see advertised on tv. Haven’t remembered to look in-store to check them out though. The Great Alfalfa Sprout experiment didn’t go so well last week, but I’m not giving up. My goal, while in this apt, is to grow chives, basil, mint, green onions, tomato…and whatever else will fit into a container…without collapsing the balcony!