By Jenny Crowe, certified Master Gardener
When you are out in the garden, you feel relaxed and your daily concerns seem to fade away. Gardening is great stress relief and it’s also great exercise!
I got started with gardening when I planted some carrots and peas in my home garden. I enjoy manipulating the dirt to plant my seedlings. I became a Master Gardener because I love being committed to the environment and growing food in harmony with nature.
My favorite plants to grow are carrots, tomatoes, beets, peppers, and bok choy. Beginner gardeners may want to start with cherry tomatoes, lettuce and peppers.
If you don’t have space for a big garden, you can adapt what you grow! Small decorative pots are great, but you can also use small totes and clothespins or reusable grocery bags—just make sure water can seep through!
You can also create a harvested living wall with pocket organizers, recycle a pallet to create a vertical herb garden, or use hanging baskets around a patio or porch. If you want to grow flowers, try daylilies (my grandmother’s favorite), gardenias or forget-me-nots.
If you do not have any space at home, consider gardening at a church, local community center, or creating a garden at a nursing home for seniors to enjoy. You can also start a journal for designing your garden, making notes about sun and water needs for your plants, and jotting down all your wonderful ideas!
I encourage you to try gardening and connect to nature!
