Life has truly taken a series of wild turns over the past several years. During early Covid, people around the world began to truly appreciate just how important our outdoor spaces are. In 2020 there were countless news stories celebrating the “Global Gardening Boom” as interest was peaking in creating home gardens. At the time, people were beginning or expanding their home gardens to stay connected to nature and neighbors, with physical activity coming in as an added bonus. Later during the pandemic, when our supply chains were breaking down and backing up, many gardeners saw even more value to growing a portion of their food at home.
Even though all of that is far enough behind us to seem like a fever dream, some lessons have stuck around, and a few habits have endured. Many Covid- era gardeners are continuing to flex their green thumbs and have decided they will keep their gardens around. Many gardeners who just got started during the shutdowns reported that they had been intimidated by the amount of work that needed to be done just to get started, or believed they did not have the time to dedicate to a garden. When the world stood still and we all suddenly had free time, the garden-curious among us finally had the opportunity to learn new skills and put systems in place to make themselves more self-sustainable.
Gardening is a hobby that is universally described as a way to decompress, relax, and exercise… and there is science to prove it. Multiple countries including Canada and New Zealand now allow for “green prescriptions” in place of medications. These are issued directives from doctors that encourage patients to spend an amount of time outside each day as treatment for sleep, stress, or memory disorders. Here in the United States, there are multiple groups pushing to have gardens considered as a public health necessity and are working to install more community gardens. These gardens can help serve communities in case of future pandemics or other disasters.
Silver linings aren’t always the easiest to find, and when
it comes to navigating a warming world post Covid, I think it’s safe to say we
will take all we can get. Lasting interest in gardening is one I can get behind
as being beneficial for the whole. If you didn’t hop into the gardening wheelbarrow
during shutdowns or if you just started your gardening journey and are wanting
to learn more, it’s never too late. There is an upcoming Permaculture Design Course
at Lost Valley Education Center, adjacent to the Nursery. We have a special discount
code for our beloved family of gardeners: NATIVEFOODS.
We hope your garden is thriving and that you and your family are reaping all of
the benefits from your garden that you so lovingly sowed. Happy Gardening!