How Does Your Garden Grow?
We are springing into Spring! And that means it’s time to get our gardens ready for summer crops. Whether you have a little window box or a giant raised bed garden, it nourishes your soul to plant a seed and watch it grow. Read on for ideas and inspiration…
Where to Plant
Do you have a large yard, and room for a garden? Lucky you! You can grow enough fruits and veggies to feed your family. What if you aren’t so lucky? A few pots on your patio, balcony, deck, or even at the edge of your driveway can produce quite a lot of food — think TALL plants, like tomatoes and peas.
Maybe you don’t have that much space, or the time to tend to it. Even a little windowsill planter can provide herbs for sauces, salads, and garnish. Parsley, basil, rosemary, and mint will add color and flavor to meals.
Windowsill gardens are wonderful because you can watch the seeds sprout and grow, almost right before your eyes. It’s a science project at your fingertips. Another advantage of windowsill gardens is that you have no excuse — your veggies are right there when you need them!
For a calming after-dinner ritual, put some fresh mint in hot water. Let it steep for a few minutes and you’ll have the most delicious and simple tea imaginable.
What to Plant
If you’re going to spend time planting a garden, make sure you’re planting foods you like to eat! If your neighbor swears by her green zebra tomatoes, but you’re not a fan, don’t use your precious real estate to plant it!
If you’ve got kids, ask them what they want. Strawberries are often a kid-favorite. They grow quickly and are easy to take care of. Another bonus is that the strawberries are often smaller than what you’ll find at the market. How is that a bonus? It opens up the conversation about how many different varieties there are of many plants.
Tomatoes grow well in sunny Santa Barbara, any other places. Choose Sweet 100’s for sauces and salads, or Beefsteak tomatoes for your BLTs.
Snap peas and sugar peas grow well and quickly. These are really fun to plant. The “seeds” are dried peas! Kids start to understand the parts of plants and how they turn into another plant!
If you’re not sure where to start, visit your local garden shop, or talk to farmers at the farmers market. Start small, and grow as you gain confidence.
Why to Plant
There are so many reasons to have your own garden!
It’s good for your heart: digging, planting, weeding, hoeing, raking burns calories and strengthens your heart
It can build self-esteem: if you believe you have a brown thumb, and then discover that you can grow something, there’s no greater boost!
It reduces stress: Dr. Robert Hutchins, MD, MPH of UNC Health explains that it “:give you chance to focus on something and put your mind to work with a goal and task in mind.”
It can boost your vitamin D: We get vitamin D from the sun. It increases our calcium levels which makes our bones strong and healthy.
It can help you eat healthier: Knowing where your food comes from, and appreciating the effort it takes to grow produce will help you and your family choose fresh fruits and vegetables more frequently.
