To Be a Gardener, You Have To Be A Dreamer

Here in the Midwest, we can’t seem to shake off winter. This, however, does not deter us gardeners. We can’t be fooled! Spring will come. It has been teasing and taunting us for weeks. Soon (I hope), it will come to stay.

In the meantime, I have ordered my seeds and begun cleaning up the yard and garden spots. The city has notified us that it is picking up yard waste. (You mean, I’m not the only one doing this right now?) And my husband did an awesome thing for me. He created a little lean-to greenhouse. 

Okay, so it's not very fancy, but when I look at it, this is what I see.

I can already taste the fresh lettuce, and kale, and spinach. I will sow the helichrysum seed there, this year, and the plants will actually flourish. Maybe I will even be successful with broccoli! Empty lots in the city will become raised bed gardens.  All ages and ethnicities will enjoy working beside each other. There will be beauty and practical production in every available space! (After all, gardeners have to be dreamers…)

For a few years now, some of us have been seeking unused land in my small city to make garden space available and to teach gardening to community residents – especially those who haven’t got access to a plot of land. As fast food and fast apps slowly sicken the population, gardening provides an antidote. Not only do raising and eating the home grown produce increase physical health, but cultivating flowers and herbs promotes good mental health.

So, I would urge you, my gardening friends, to get out there a bit more. Go out of your way to share a bit of gardening knowledge with a newbie who’s puzzling over a plant at Walmart, or involve yourself in a community effort to increase gardening. Share your produce with someone you don’t know. This effort can only bring about good. This is part of my vision for reconciling our differences. Gardening is great common ground.

And while you’re at it, give a gift of encouragement – like this wonderful doormat from FlagsRUs, and perfect for muddy shoes!

Customer Images:

Image credit: Kathryn Stone

Image credit: Kathryn Stone