Joys of Gardening
“To plant a garden is to dream of tomorrow.” —Audrey Hepburn
I absolutely love the idea of gardening. Whether you have a green thumb or are just starting out, there is something enchanting about nurturing plants and watching them grow. From sowing seeds to harvesting the fruits of your labor, gardening offers a multitude of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. Gardening allows you to connect with nature, relieve stress, and boost your mood. There’s nothing quite like getting your hands dirty and breathing in fresh air. It can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally it has been shown as have a positive impact on your immune system and mental health. The best part? It can be a solo activity or a way to bond with others who share the same passion.
That being said, I myself do not naturally have a green thumb. It is something I have to work at and the truth is, I don’t always succeed. Correction… I usually don’t succeed. This can be very frustrating and has lead me to taking long breaks from the hobby.
Recently though I have had much luck with growing… peppers! Jalapeño peppers, Serrano peppers, and Chili peppers. With this success, I have a newfound motivation to get back to it! Peppers are naturally a pretty hardy plant and that plays a key role in their survival in the Florida heat, so they were the perfect plant to try and grow. Bonus, when they are ready I am able to harvest them and immediately put them to use in my homemade salsa (the only family recipe I have), and soups. I’m also working on learning how to dehydrate them properly so that their shelf life can go further.
If you want to pick up gardening but don’t know where to start, or like myself don’t have such a green thumb, here is what I suggest. First, decide if you would like to focus on indoor or outdoor plants. Second, research what plants will do well in your growing zone. Third, limit yourself to starting with only 2-3 plants. This will serve a dual purpose, the first is to keep you from getting overwhelmed. The second is to help you from getting discouraged, as there is a possibility your first plant might not do so well. Lastly, try to grow something you can consume, a plant like peppers, tomato, mint, celery, basil, etc. There is something truly magical about nurturing something that can then in return nurture you.
Happy growing!