Should You Grow a Garden?
By Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD
Springtime generates positive visions. As a lifelong northeasterner, I have always viewed this time of year as offering renewal and enthusiasm as extended daylight and warmer temperatures welcome the new season. After a long, chilly winter, it is liberating to shed our heavy outerwear. Boots, down coats, scarves, hats, and gloves are cleaned and stored. Then, we roll out the raincoats and umbrellas, which act as a gentle reminder that nature is on our side. We welcome the rainfall to grow our beautiful gardens. Early perennials such as lilacs and cherry blossoms often lead the way, but additional effort can generate a continuous supply of homegrown produce. Maybe it’s time for you to consider a home garden!
Isn’t the image of cultivating your own collection of colorful vegetables, bountiful green herbs, and some fruit on the vine tempting? This primordial effort brings joy throughout the summer and continues deep into the fall. The mere convenience of homegrown produce can make anyone smile. The actual work and dedication can be shared among family members and, in some situations like mine, wonderful next-door neighbors.
Creating a garden took me years. I thought about it every spring and felt pangs of guilt for resisting the effort. I treaded very slowly. I started by buying a pot or two of green herbs and placing them on my deck. Then, I noticed my neighbors digging, tilling, and adding dirt to create three large wood-framed plots of fresh soil, protected by a perimeter of tall mesh fencing. They asked us to water the garden for a few weeks while they traveled. My husband and I took great satisfaction in this activity. The garden thrived, and our neighbors were generous with their yield of various herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. This eventually led to our partnership.
As someone who cooks often and uses fresh produce, a home garden is more of a luxury than a chore. Not to mislead anyone. This requires commitment, it is a wonderful exercise in both community and productivity. You can start small with a few potted plants. Then you can expand into a larger area as your skills ‘grow’. You might even find community plots into which you can buy. For me, it is truly inspirational to be outdoors and working towards something healthy and organic. Research shows that exposure to dirt can create healthier gut microbes, a bonus of your home garden!
Whether or not you decide to move forward with this project, key points to consider include: budget, spacing, placement details (surface area, sunlight, access to water), types of seeds vs. small plants, wood for framing plots, dirt, fertilizer, fencing, and pots. Don’t get discouraged – the end results are worth it all! After all, you get to taste the rewards and cool down with a glass of homemade iced tea with fresh herbs, fruit, and some spice. Enjoy!
Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD is the owner of LSKNutrition, a clinical practice that specializes in nutrition counseling for individuals and their families. Her office is in Martinsville, and virtual appointments are available. For more information, please visit LSKNutrition.com.
