Gardening brings with it many benefits in quarantine times
Consider growing some food, Grant Wood suggests.
The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on our food system and how much we rely on others for our food. This pandemic and its associated impacts is motivating many of us to produce a bit of our own food, and whether we are conscious of it or not, we will reap many intangible rewards from growing food.
When I talk about growing food, I am referring to anything from growing a few containers of microgreens or pots of spinach in a sunny window in the house; to containers of vegetables on a balcony, deck or driveway; to a garden (raised bed or in-ground) somewhere in the yard, or a community garden plot. Here is a list of some of the intangible benefits that I have personally experienced or have seen in my gardening past.
These benefits are especially important now during the pandemic, when many of us are feeling stressed, isolated, alone, or apprehensive.
Sense of achievement: I have an email message and photo of a tomato plant with ripe red tomatoes, sent to me by one of my students. The caption reads: “Look at what I did, I grew my own tomatoes! They are beautiful. I am a gardener Grant.” I could feel the excitement in the text. This was the first time this student had ever grown a vegetable. Yes, it is about the tomatoes but it is more about feeling proud for having grown something beautiful and delicious.
A sense of purpose: Now that many in our community cannot volunteer at their regular places, or have been temporarily laid off, we may lack purpose if there is nothing to do to fill our time. Use that time to grow some microgreens or baby greens in your own home, and in as quick as two weeks, you are eating the rewards of your time and effort. You can still start some of your own bedding plants right now, and then
Even in a time of social distancing, gardening connects people of all abilities, cultures, faiths, beliefs, ages and gender identity.
plant them outside after the risk of frost is past.
Relaxation: Gardening is soothing. It makes you feel grounded and reduces stress. If you are new to gardening, start small — a container or two of microgreens on the windowsill; six containers on the balcony, deck, patio or driveway. Having your hands in the soil, planting seeds, picking a few weeds, or harvesting a few leaves for your salad or sandwich, and watching your plants grow can be very soothing. If gardening is causing you stress, reduce the size and enjoy the activity.
Learning new skills: In a world of lifelong learning, you should strive to learn something new every day. It can be exciting to learn new information, and fun having new experiences. Learning how to use row covers to protect my spinach, beets and chard from being attacked by leaf miners, so I could harvest better quality vegetables, was very rewarding.
Sense of belonging: Spending time working with plants and the soil, helps reconnect us to the natural and even spiritual environment around us. It helps us open our eyes to see the interconnectedness of the environment. Take the time to stare at a handful of productive gardening soil, see and marvel knowing that there are thousands of organisms in that handful of soil.
Even in a time of social distancing, gardening connects people of all abilities, cultures, faiths, beliefs, countries, ages and gender identity. Gardeners nurture plants, and we nurture the people who grow these plants. If we see a person struggling with gardening, we help them because watching them grow and develop is just as important as watching our plants grow.
If you are struggling right now with the restrictions placed on us by this pandemic, consider growing some food. If you’re not sure how to do this, then ask your friends, family and neighbours for help.
If they are gardeners, they will love the opportunity to help a fellow gardener.
Grant Wood is an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan and specializes in urban agriculture.