I enjoy gardening. Therapy comes in those little seed packets. Winter tends to be hard on me even though it is beautiful. I’m ready for warm days and sunshine months before they show up. Those little seeds are a promise of warmer days to come.
It’s a thrill when I finally plant seeds and set them in the window. I like to start seeds in starter trays. After watering and planting the neat little rows, cover the tray so the moisture and heat become trapped. You’ve just created a mini-greenhouse. The sun quickly warms them and sprouts begin!
I plant all sorts of things…everything my family will eat and a few new items. When I use my green thumb on something unfamiliar, we all get a chance to try a new item from the garden. We’ve discovered the joys of tasty foods from our own plot of land. Harvesting something we’ve grown ourselves brings great satisfaction.
Don’t dismiss gardening if you have little space. Container gardening starts out exactly like a full-size yard garden. The main difference is planting the seeds in pots. Look for great pots at thrift stores or garage sales. You’re apt to find plenty.
Always wash your pots thoroughly. If they’re deep, add paper egg-cartons broken into fourths and a few large rocks to the bottom. The egg-cartons act as a filler and the stones help with drainage and add weight for ballast on windy days.
Herbs are some of my favorite container plants. Since they’re portable, I keep them near the door on my porch. A snip in the early afternoon means a tasty dinner later that night. Dill dip, rosemary on a pork roast, oregano and thyme in spaghetti sauce…all delicious and all from home.
I usually dry my herbs for year-round use and fun gifts. This winter I brought my rosemary plant inside. When I long for summer, I gently touch the plant, and the delicate scent reminds me of warmer days. Now that’s therapy at it’s best!
(Rosemary)
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About Jan Nellis
Jan Nellis is a happily married mom of five children, three of whom are still at home. She spends her free time rediscovering the lost domestic arts with an emphasis on health issues. An avid quilter, crocheter, hand-spinner and cook, her desire is to rekindle the ways of her grandmothers, blessing her friends and family. She has spoken at women’s groups on forgiveness, following God's plan for your life and the joys of living with God. She currently blogs at www.atinylittleripple.blogspot.com.
