Gardening is Therapy

"The tomatoes that I grow seem to taste better!"

Why do I garden? For some unknown reason, it just simply feels good to do so. Maybe it’s the Vitamin D from the sun, the fresh air, or the connection that I feel from knowing that my departed father and grandmother loved to garden as well? Maybe it is from the satisfaction and the pride that I feel from just doing it? The flowers are each beautiful, unique, and the textures and shapes of the leaves are absolutely amazing. My garden isn’t perfect by any means, and there is always something that needs to be done. I’m not perfect either. I’ve simply learned to appreciate life, and I simply strive to do my best. If I don’t like something, I will make a change, whether it is within me, within my physical environment, or within my garden.

Gardening doesn’t come without challenges for anyone, and this is that time of year that it can be a little overwhelming. When I head out, I usually have a mission or some kind of plan. This helps, but I don’t always find myself doing what I had originally set out to do. (I prefer to be a little more spontaneous in life.) Eventually, I know that I will make my way around the whole yard, and accomplish what needs to be done. I’m slower than most people, and I can’t get to everything easily. This inability to move around easily is probably the most frustrating part of gardening for me. Other than the frustration that I feel when I have finally made it to where I want to be, and suddenly realize that I don’t have the right tool with me. Err, this happens, and I move on. My garden forces me to be patient with myself.

Understanding my own physical limitations helps with these challenges but, being more innovative helps even more. Accepting what is difficult, and constantly determining new ways to do something is survival. As I get older, I know that my physical limitations are increasing. The plants that I now choose seem to require less maintenance. I leave more space around each plant. I buy long reach tools to avoid leaning over as much as possible. I buy smaller bags of dirt. I have a plant dolly to move my containers. Fortunately, as our population gets older, more and more garden tool manufacturers are realizing this need and are creating more and more products. I’m amazed at the number of raised beds, and plant containers on wheels that I see now. More products are being created to reduce the need of leaning over.

Knowing when to ask for help is also vital. (Not an easy task for this independent woman.) If I was alone or if I had a partner that wasn’t into gardening, I would probably have to have a smaller garden, but I would still do it. I would have to factor in the cost of additional maintenance. Gardening is a big part of my life, but there are other things that I enjoy doing as well. Accepting what I can and cannot do makes gardening manageable.

Personally, I enjoy the exercise that I get by lifting bags of dirt and heavy containers of plants, I enjoy socializing with other gardeners, I love shopping for plants, and I truly have fun sweating in my own garden. Pruning something seems to be a terrific way to relieve stress. I’ve always loved to get my hands dirty. I own more garden tools than shoes. The tomatoes that I grow seem to taste better, and I can never have too many cut flowers in my house. Some days I simply just enjoy sitting in my garden. It is quite meditative. Other times I enjoy photographing the amazing flowers. I’m intrigued by the unique detail in every flower. My garden is a form of physical exercise as well as a state of mental well being. My garden is my therapy, both physical and mental. It keeps me active. I love it, and that is why I do it.