Are you thankful for plants? They do a lot for us
First, we couldn’t live without plants. They are the basis for sustaining life in the form of the food we eat and the air we breathe.
I am thankful for plants. Without plants, none of us would survive. Period. We must be thankful for plants, right?
With Thanksgiving coming up next week, we turn our thoughts to those things we are thankful for. Of course, I am thankful for a lot of things such as family, my health, my flag and much more.
Are plants on your list? I notice a lot of social media posts focused on 30 days of Thanksgiving — something each day that we are thankful for. However, I don’t recall ever seeing someone say they are thankful for plants.
First, we couldn’t live without plants. They are the basis for sustaining life in the form of the food we eat and the air we breathe.
Plants feed animals that are consumed. Plants take in CO2 and give us life-supporting oxygen.
Plants do a lot of other things, as well, many that we don’t even think about.
While driving home from Nashville the other day, I took a wrong turn and ended up in a neighborhood. My sister-inlaw was with me, and when we turned down a particular street she commented that the street was so pretty.
The houses looked exactly like those on the other streets. However, this was a beautiful treelined street, making all the difference in the world aesthetically.
In addition to looking nice, those trees captured carbon, gave off oxygen, slowed down rainwater running into the sewers, provided cooling shade and protected the roads, saving in repaving costs.
We learned how important plants were to new gardeners during the pandemic. More people gardened for the first time than anytime before. Extension offices experienced increased calls asking about how to start a vegetable garden.
People turned to the outdoors for mental health breaks. Walking in the park or one of our many natural areas in the Miami Valley provided a huge mental break.
Trails and greenways increase property values and adjacent homes tend to sell faster.
Plants are important for soil health and pollinators and, of course, nature in general by providing a habitat.
I can go on and on about plants and their value. I have been involved in an national effort to raise the awareness of consumer horticulture and all that goes with it.
Most of you who read my column on a regular basis know that I am a plant geek. I hope that I can inspire others to be plant geeks, as well.
Oh yes, and I am thankful for you, the reader of this column. I am always grateful for your feedback and thank you for reading my column.
Now, go out and buy a plant!