I could spend hours watching the hummingbirds in my garden.
Watching them zip by on their way to a blossom is a great way to relax.
Spending time in the garden is a wonderful way to cultivate your
mental health. Studies now suggest what gardeners have always
known; gardening is good for you! Not just eating the vegetables, but
the digging of the soil, planting the seeds, pulling weeds and collecting
the harvest. It’s good for the waistline, it’s good for your heart and
it’s exceptionally good for your mental well-being.
Most of us know a contented person who is at peace in their garden.
While all our physical and mental health issues probably won’t
be solved by growing carrots, having a garden might help more than
we think. In fact, studies are sprouting up like weeds to suggest
that gardeners are healthier than non-gardeners in both body and
soul. On average those who grow potatoes live 14 years longer than
couch potatoes. And they’re happier, too.
But can gardening really make us happier? Let’s take a look.
First of all, it gives us Something to Look Forward To ~ Turns out
spending those dark days of winter looking over seed catalogues
and planning our garden is good for us. Humans need goals, things
to aspire to, something to wake up for in the morning.
Then there is the Nature Connection ~ People who make time to
connect with nature are happier, more content, have fewer heart attacks
and are less stressed. Gardening is a fabulous way to connect
with nature.
An extra side benefit is the Exercise ~ Few things improve our
mood like exercise. Gardening involves a wide range of motion and
levels of exertion. It can be the perfect varied workout.
It’s great for Brain Boosting ~ As we age we can become less
social and tend to want to stay home more. A garden gives us a rea son
to get out of the house. Chatting with plants or birds might make
you look a little senile, but it gets you outside to enjoy the day.
And finally, The Harvest ~ Last but not least, is the harvest. Yes,
there will be years the insects, worms or your tomatoes are not the
best, but there will always be something for your basket.
Remember that gardening, like life, is a journey not a destination.
During the summer season, no matter how much we love gardening,
many of us start to get tired of our gardens. It can be hot, hu mid
and buggy! That’s why I enjoy Fall gardening much more than
Summer gardening. What motivates me the most is knowing that
cooler weather is coming, and when it does, I’ll be excited to work in
my garden again.
The biggest challenge with a fall garden is that you have to plant
it in the summer. If you wait until fall it’s usually too late. Here are a
few of my favorite fall vegetables to grow in your garden for abundant
harvests all through fall and early winter.
Beets Unlike a lot of other fall vegetables, beets have no trouble
germinating in the heat of summer. And they’ll be ready for harvest
as the weather cools down and you’re in the mood for roasted root
vegetables.
Cucumbers I usually do very well with my cucumber in summer,
but not this year. They just would not grow. I’ve already planted them
for Fall, and they are looking great.
Spinach A very fast grower and so healthy for you.
Turnips Don’t turn your nose up at turnips. Fresh from the garden,
they are sweet and tender.
My very favorite is Kale. I can grow
it year around, but the fall crop is the best. I always have enough to share with
friends and family.
Final Olive Update ~ Very Successful! As I previously reported, I brined my
olives for several days. I then made a Greek-Style marinade to cover them in a jar.
They are not large olives, but as my tree matures, they will become bigger. But,
they are still delicious. My husband (John) and I have been enjoying snacking on
them in the evenings.
2018 Holiday Gift Shop
The Texas City Garden Club will have its 47th Annual Holiday Gift Shop on Saturday,
December 2, 2018 at the Nessler Center, 2010 5th Avenue North in Texas
City from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Vendor booths are available.
If you would like to participate, please contact Nancy Heard at 409-948-8497 or
409-771-5697
If you know of a “Spot of Beauty ” let us know. Send a picture and address to
bbuffa1@gmail.com.
