I never was much interested in gardening until I moved into a garden home with a small yard and large patio. With my mother having huge, messy, roach infestation gardens (oh boy don't they love that water & compost!) I just really hated gardening. It was by accident though that I started, and now that I have a desire to improve my quality of life, it's turned into a health focus too.
I blogged about the Blue Zones of Centurians after my research into improving my own health for the next half century. Gardening, as it turns out, is a common thread for several of the zones.
Living Better: Quality Living in Today's Crazy World!
WHY???
Light, frequent, whole body exercise is best for longevity. Those whose lifestyle involves daily, light activity such as gardening, bicycling to work, or walking uphill to go to church live longer, more mentally adept, physically happy lives.
You are what you eat. I have probably watched over 20 documentaries on food. I'd say healthy food but no, I mean food, because I want to also understand crappy food too. The Blue Zones commonly are not located in convenience based areas; no fast food, no fast paced life, no people knocking on your door offering to mow your lawn or wash your dog. As a result, they grow and shepherd their own food. I mentioned a Costa Rican community that was featured in Down to Earth with Zac Efron (S1E3). No technology is probably a bust for me, but I found myself lusting over picking my own fruit, veggies, and such to meal plan, and share meals together. We do not do that nor have since the Cleavers. When you grow your own food you know exactly what you are eating. I shoot for organic and farmer's markets when I can, but the idea of growing basil, peppers, & other herbs and lettuce....... just makes me drool for its taste and health benefits.
Mental Health. When I plant, cut, or water, I think about peace, happiness, zen. Not work. Not life crises. I pay attention to how much water, where I am going to cut, and the temperatures instead. Especially for my tropical plants which will die if its under 40 or over 100. In Texas, we have brutal hot winters so I move things into a solar shade and/or my atrium. For the short cold winters, the same.
I hope this inspires you in some way to grow something on your own. Feel free to share it in your comments or shoot me a text! I am passionate and serious about this so I hope you do share! 210.560.1891
PS! I learned most of what I know by watching youtube videos, talking to nursery people, and mostly from facebook gardening groups in my city and by specifics. I also just joined my neighborhood gardening club that meets monthly since I bought a new house last year, another garden home and covered patio, but more the floorplan and area that I prefer.
Happy Gardening!!
This is a 3 part series of things I am serious about. These are the other two:
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