Urban Gardening
For the past four years, I’ve been a part of a volunteer group that gardens every week at a 500 year-old 2,000 square meter former monastery garden. To say this place is heavenly, is an understatement. It’s the kind of place that when you walk in, your shoulders drop down and you breathe a big sigh of relief. It’s that therapeutic. And that’s even without getting your hands in the earth! Being a part of this group has been so enriching: not only have I learned tons of gardening skills, but I’ve met a lot of interesting people of all ages and walks of life. Plus, the group also organizes special workshop and trips adding even more ways to learn and connect.
Recently, this group sent out an email asking if anyone was interested in taking over a small urban gardening. The group that had gardened there had dissolved and there was a need not only of new leadership, but a whole new concept. A few of took the call and our now planning our next steps. More on that soon…
This article is more an ode to urban gardening than a how-to guide. I’d like to gently nudge you to give it a try. Why?
Urban Gardening Benefits
Builds Community - now more than ever is it imperative that we rebuild the bonds to our communities. The digital age has had an enormous impact on the way we interact with people and although in some ways, this has proven to be advantageous (think geographic independence, global interconnectivity, and flexible work set-ups), there is a downfall to all this screen-time. Book Tip: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Connection to Nature - the start of the Industrial Age and more recently, our increase of screen-time has also led to less time outdoors. Particularly, our time in nature has dramatically decreased to the point that we’ve become alienated from nature which sadly has led to a separatist view of human beings and nature which in turn allows for the horrific ways we’ve been abusing Mother Earth since Colonial Times. There has been a recent surge to reverse this and urban gardening is definitely part of this movement.
Growing Food is Empowering - there is nothing like the feeling (and taste!) of homegrown food. If grown organically (highly recommended and really, why would you not), the purity and freshness is unparallaled to what you would buy in the stores - even if it is regional produce. Plus, growing your own food means that you become less dependant on the food system and in this day and age, when food shortages due to climate change, the pandemic and political upheaval is a real threat, knowing that you have a source of fresh, healthy food, is peace of mind.
Learn a New Skill - there is so much knowledge that you can gain from gardening. Learning about plants and their ecosystems is fascinating and sadly, this knowledge has not been handed down generationally like it used to be. It’s time that we regain that wisdom and make sure to pass it on to our children. Our health and that of our planet - depends on it.
Gardening = Health & Longevity - it’s been scientifically proven that gardening plays a role in how long we actually live, as well as quality of life. It seems that the combination of being outdoors, connecting with nature, stress-reduction, and even exposure the microbiomes in the earth all play a role in our health and longevity. In fact, the Blue Zones (a National Geographic study conducted in several areas in the world where the highest concentrations of centennials live) showed that one of factors seen across these regions is in fact, gardening! Read more here.
It’s Fun! - no explanation needed here. Try if for yourself at your local urban garden - roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and you’ll find it’s hard not to smile :)
Urban gardening is really the antidote to so many of the ills of modern society. It’s a way for us to connect with the land we live on and to the people that live around us and compells us to pull ourselves away from our screens and do what our ancestors did: be one with nature. Plus, you’ll probably be carrying a bag of fresh veggies, herbs, edible flowers home to create some delicious and healthy meals with your family and friends.
There are really no disadvantages to urban gardening and if a lack of time is holding you back, I’d simply say: make the time. The couple of hours a week it takes are more than worth it. And you’ll see that afterwards you’ll feel more energized and ready to tackle the good and not-so-good elements of modern life.
Inspired? Take action NOW and do a quick internet search ”Urban Gardening Around Me” or visit this comprehensive website: https://www.urbanfarming.org/garden-locations.html.