Bryce says that I was always one of the most positive people he knew, that I always just assumed what was supposed to happen would and that it would all work out. I fear that as I’ve gotten older (turned 51 last month!) that perpetual optimism has slowly eroded a bit and I’ve become a little more guarded and wary as I learned more about the world around me (and as we are facing global challenges that will affect my children and their children)! It can be overwhelming and, if I’m honest, I can tend to perseverate a bit too much on it. However, when I focus on my garden and what it brings to our life, I feel so much better! And when I think about it, gardeners are such great people to be around because they always are so positive and hopeful! And in a very real way, they are doing the hard work to support our environment (both legislatively and in their own backyards!).

I’ve learned a lot of lessons in my garden and thought I would write them down as a reminder of how much a garden can enrich ones life whether it’s a window box, a giant vegetable garden, a cottage garden or a formal rose garden!

1. Gardening is hopeful. I recently heard a horticulturist describe gardening as the ultimate form of hope and I just loved that! One doesn’t sow a seed, dig a hole, or compost all their kitchen scrapes without the hope that the seed will grow, the plant will thrive and the soil will be enriched. We don’t plant a tree just for our own enjoyment but rather for future generations to enjoy as well.

2. Being outside and active is good for your physical health. There are a myriad of health benefits that include exercise, vitamin d, lowering blood pressure, strengthening bones and a million other little details that can make a big difference.

3. Being in the garden has many proven benefits for our mental health as well. It can be meditative to do repetitive tasks like weeding and sowing and can be a wonderful way to destress! It also requires one to focus on one task at hand instead of multi-tasking, which can be important for our cognitive health as well.

4. I have found that living here on the farm and tending to a garden has grounded me in unexpected ways. The cycle of the seasons is crystal clear here and doesn’t miss a beat. Even if things are chaotic all around me, the bulbs will bloom in the spring, the chickens will begin to lay more regularly as we have more daylight hours, the leaves of the trees will unfurl in the spring and drop in the the fall, the sap will run when the end of winter and beginning of spring is near. I find a lot of comfort in that and love how it gives structure to my days, weeks and years.

5. Growing your own food, even if it’s just a small tomato plant, helps one to realize where food comes from. I think too often we don’t stop and think about what it means when our vegetables, and flowers, are trucked across the country for days on end (or flown thousands of miles!).

6. Your diet will most likely improve and be lovelier! Produce that is freshly picked is not only tastier but it’s also healthier as it hasn’t lost any of its vitamins and minerals. Also, if you’ve grown it, you’re most likely going to eat it as you know how much work has gone into growing those carrots! And, of course, edible flowers on salads will brighten anyone’s day!

7. Food grown at home, or a local farm, is almost always better tasting. Grocery store tomatoes are bred for travel so that means one can usually only get the truly delicious, juicy ones from either your own garden or a local source. I’ve found that I prefer to eat as much as I can seasonally. Once you’ve had that perfect strawberry or tomato in season, it’s hard to stomach the pale, watery and tasteless version out of season!

8. Beauty is important. It’s impossible to look at a garden and not see beauty. There are so many beautiful vegetables and, of course, flowers. Bring those flowers inside and eat your vegetables!

What would you add to the list?