🌻How Does Your Garden Grow?
We are all familiar with the old nursery rhythm about Mary, Mary quite contrary… How do you make your garden grow?
Growing a garden just doesn’t provide access to fresh, healthier foods it’s also good for your mental and physical well-being. That’s right playing in the dirt is good for us.
👩🌾 Dirt is Therapeutic
Let’s talk about dirt for a minute. I don’t have a degree in biology, but I can tell you this: getting your hands in the soil does something good for the soul. There’s a calming, almost meditative quality to working in the garden. Studies have shown that there’s a microorganism in soil—Mycobacterium vaccae—that stimulates serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin, often called the “feel-good” chemical, helps regulate mood, reduces anxiety, and improves cognitive function. In other words, digging in the dirt isn’t just suitable for your plants—it’s good for you, too.
There’s a reason so many people call gardening a form of therapy. It’s a chance to unplug from screens, slow down your thoughts, and be fully present. Whether you’re pulling weeds, planting seeds, or watering your greens, you’re engaging with something real and nurturing. Nature gives back in more ways than one. Read more about why dirt may be nature’s original stress-buster.
My Gardening Journey 🌞
I have been gardening since my parents made me work in the garden as a young girl. At that time, my parents had to pinch pennies, and I was too young to understand the valuable lessons that my parents were teaching me.
I reflect on when I would sit with my Mom and Grandmother shelling peas or shucking corn and recall the simple joys it brought me. I would sit on the porch or at the kitchen table with them while we worked, drinking tea, and telling stories. Learning valuable lessons that one day I would come to cherish.
As an early adult I thought I didn’t want to live that lifestyle anymore, but there was always something missing. I knew that I would not be happy until I returned from where I came. So, my husband and I started our own homestead. Living in southeast Georgia the weather can be challenging–we laugh stating the Mother nature needs some meds because she can’t decide what weather to give us. LOL
Lessons of Humility
Nothing teaches humility like having a garden. One minute your garden’s bursting with tomatoes and squash, the next, a surprise frost or a fat rogue raccoon has takeout with your corn that you were about to pick. It may even be a deer bursting your melons open or mice eating your berries. No matter what setbacks you face there’s something beautiful about working with your hands—planting, growing, harvesting. You learn patience, resilience, and gratitude with every season.
There’s something magical about watching a seed grow into something beautiful and bountiful. For us it’s not just about growing food – it’s about growing memories. Whether I’m out in the dirt with my hands, sowing seeds with my grandkids, or picking the first ripe tomatoes of the season, it all feels like part of a bigger picture. Gardening is a way of life that’s as old as time, and yet, it always feels like something new each season.
Why We Keep at It?
People sometimes ask why we choose this life, especially when it would be so much easier to live in town and buy your good at the store. The truth is, we don’t just choose this life—we feel it. It’s in our bones. It keeps us grounded, grateful, and in tune with nature and the seasons.
What will I Find Here? 🌺
Here I’ll share the joy of tending to my garden, the tips I’ve learned through trial and error, and how to make the most of what we grow. It’s a simple life, but it’s full of purpose. From the smell of fresh soil to the pride of pulling weeds, every part of gardening brings a sense of accomplishment and connection to the earth.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there’s always something new to learn in the garden. I’ll walk you through everything from planning your garden, understanding what grows best in your climate, to harvesting your crops and preserving them for the months ahead. My hope is that by sharing our experience, you’ll feel inspired to get your hands dirty, plant a few seeds, and see what grows!
Join me as we dig into the joys and challenges of gardening, with a little help from the earth and a lot of love from family and friends There’s no place like home, especially when it’s surrounded by the fruits and vegetables you’ve tended with your own hands. So grab your gloves, a trusty spade, and let’s grow together!
