What’s in Your Garden?

What has compelled me to take up farming? Well micro-framing, to be accurate!

I have a friend who lives in a more rural area than I, whose garden looks like four long rows in a sophisticated agricultural operation of thousands of acres.

Me? A summer garden might have a tomato bush; but I don’t do summer gardens. Why? Formerly, working as a teacher, summers were my big time off, so we traveled. No time to tend a garden.

Once retired, my big deal was growing basil, mint, and parsley as container plants on the porch. My helpful neighbor could water the herbs without much trouble; we often trade off patio plant watering during vacations.

But serious, food growing gardening? Not me … until 2020.

Ah, 2020 – the year that held such promise. The year of such positive anticipation. Things coming together; hard work paying off. Reaching dozens, hundreds, thousands of others with my message. Plans in place. Getting out of that comfort zone. Growth. Vitality!

Not.

Somebody hit the PAUSE button.

Errrt. Brakes on worldwide.

Everyone buys toilet tissue. Shelves are empty of anything related to cleanliness. My plan for world domination in the realm of helping caregivers comes to a screeching halt.

Were all our dreams dashed?

Still speaking from mid-COVID stay-at-home orders, I think not. Why? Because, despite the immediate cancellation of my workshops and speaking engagements, I felt liberated. Whew. A day off. Well, a week off. Okay, almost 2 months off – so far.

A retiree’s situation is not everyone’s situation. These long weeks and months have spelled endless and dangerous toil for some; profound stress and heartache for others, and death to over 75,000 Americans and over 1.2 million people worldwide.

Everyone is re-evaluating on all levels. What is important? Could this telemedicine and tele-education be a significant part of our future going forward, even when restrictions are lifted? Do we all want to keep driving to the office every day? Maybe family time and family dinners are something we want to keep?

The merry-go-round stopped for many of us non-essential stay-at-homers. We stopped the relentless pursuit of the future as we just tried to navigate the day at home.

All of a sudden, we were toppled off of the top of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Self-Actualization (achieving one’s full potential including creative activities) to the bottom where Physiological Needs (food, water, warmth, rest) are of paramount importance.

Some hoard toilet tissue thinking a basement full of Charmin will protect them from the unknown. Many of us search for something helpful to do. Masks and other forms of PPE/personal protective equipment are being generated from home sewing machines and 3D printers across the nation. School aged children continue to be fed from school buses making their daily rounds not to pick up children but to nourish them. Graduating seniors are honored by school administrators and teachers making personal home visits to deliver yard signs celebrating their accomplishments until a proper graduation ceremony can take place.

There is a need to be in control because so much control has been taken away from us. We can’t count on anything for sure except our own efforts.

So – many are turning to gardening.

Gardening for future food – not just herbs or pretty flowers. While I hope and pray the agricultural system will rebound from COVID-sick employees, there is always the possibility for future food insecurities. Just this past week, we learned of the arrival of Giant Murderous Hornets that decimate bee populations. No bees … no food.

My little garden won’t feed the masses; it will most likely only give me enough to eat and share with my neighbor in late summer, but it is giving me something I can (mostly) control – Giant Murderous Hornets aside.

How can a garden help us deal with the isolation, the lack of control, the depression, and the “ennui” as the French say?

Aside from the obvious fresh air, exercise, and sunshine, there’s a bounty of goodness that can come from gardening:

Wonder

Grounding

Control

Partnership

Appreciation

Amazement

Anticipation

Gratitude

Patience

Dedication

Creativity

Effort

Reward

Sharing

Planning

Preparation