Green Thumb

The phrase 'green thumb' has long been used to describe ones ability to garden. Those who possess a green thumb are able to grow plants in a seemingly effortless way. Since I can remember I have always had a green thumb, a love for nature, and a deep desire to connect with the plants around me. Several times I have thought about the wonderful opportunities that my 'green thumb' has brought forth to me.

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"In almost every garden, the land is made better and so is the gardener."
-Robert Rodale

Gardening is a unique hobby in a sense that it connects us to ourselves and the land. Through each mistake and error made, the gardener takes that opportunity to learn and grow. Gardening connects us together, makes the world a better place, provides food, gives knowledge, and connects us to nature. I must say that gardening has made me feel at peace because it is so relaxing. Having that kind relationship with both that plants and the earth gives that peace. There is just something so nice about touching the dirt and watching the plants grow, progress, and become stronger. While these little plants become stronger, the gardener themself becomes stronger too.

While the process of gardening is very rewarding, the end product is even better. There is just something so intriguing about being able to eat something that you personally grew. Knowing that the effort paid off is something beyond explainable words. The feeling is more than happiness. Knowing that the salad on the plate came from a personal garden just adds more meaning to food. Gardening gives that sense of hardwork that farmers have to endure so food gets put on shelves.

Something that has also captivated my soul is this very question: where does our food come from? Another question: what is in our food? I could go on endless with questions I often ask myself while eating food. Within the past little while we have become distant from knowing where our food comes from. This is something that is often very overlooked and not questioned. Some more questions that might arise from this are:

Who grew it?
Where did this come from? Where was it grown?
What is in our food? What exactly is it that I am eating?
When was the produce harvested?
Why should I choose this variety over this other one?
How was this grown? How did this get to the store? How was it packaged or cleaned?

There is a lot that can be understood by growing food. Beginning simple is the best mode of taking that first step. Gardening can be a whole new realm for some. On the other hand, no one should be afraid of gardening. It is the most rewarding, yet peaceful hobby out there. Produce has a much bolder flavor when home grown. Bitting into a freshly pulled carrot is one of my favorite things to do. Eating a handful of fresh sugar snap peas, tomato on a BLT, and baking some fresh Canada Crookneck Squash are just a few of the rewards of gardening.

More Rewards:
Fresh tomatoes on a BLT
Snap of the pea-pod
Peppers that pack a punch of flavor
Crispy lettuce with an edgy taste
Sweet and fresh lemon balm
Flavorful sage during fall meals
Picked cilantro with your favorite Mexican dish
Baked Canada Crookneck squash with salt and pepper
Jalapeños that pack some heat, but taste phenomenal in a favorite dish
The snap of freshly harvested bush beans
Garlic that tastes like heaven
Onions that will make eyes water
Fresh summer salsa with tomatoes
Homegrown salad

There are so many rewards of gardening. Sometimes these are definitely overlooked. I love to watch the plants progress into a whole new plant. It is amazing what a little care and faith can do. These are the reasons why I keep gardening and putting in the effort to be outside. It is such a rewarding hobby, and I do not know what I would do without the action of gardening.

"The best things come from the smallest efforts. The best food comes from the smallest gardens. Seeing that will open new doors."
-jettAV8R