Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Celebrating Earth Day in My Own Backyard

by Kelly


I cultivate my garden, and my garden cultivates me. ~Robert Brault

I come by my love of gardening naturally.  I remember being a young girl and spending summers with my great-grandmother, picking the zinnias she planted between her rows of green beans.  And I can't remember a summer when my mom didn't have at least a couple of tomato bushes growing out in the back yard.  

But don't get started on that summer she grew okra.  I still have the emotional scars from being sent out into the miserable Oklahoma, late-August heat to pick those sticky, fuzzy pods which she would then cook with stewed tomatoes.  {{shudder}}

Anyway, the love of gardening is deeply rooted in me (pun intended).  And even where I live in the city, I still manage to plant a small garden in my backyard each year.  In northeastern Oklahoma we have a pretty long growing season, so I like to plant early season vegetables like lettuce, peas, broccoli, and cauliflower first. 



Then by the time they are finished producing, my tomato and pepper plants are really taking off.  


I know...this is going to sound really cheesy...but having a garden is almost like witnessing a miracle.  I get such a thrill watching seeds sprout and push up through the soil.


And then seeing those first couple of leaves reach out and stretch towards the light.


I can hardly wait until harvest!  Because everyone knows that fruits and vegetables taste better when they come out of your own garden. 


But it's more than that.  Having a garden encourages a connection to food that you don't get from buying it at the grocery store. 


And having a garden makes me appreciate my food more....not just in the work and care associated with maintaining it.  But more especially, in the good earth which provides this bounty for us.

The great thing about having a garden is that you don't have to have acres and acres of land in which to plant. You can experience the wonder and joy of gardening wherever you live...whether it's in a small, urban garden like mine or pot of tomato plants on an apartment balcony.


I'm so honored to be posting today, Earth Day...gardening and nature are both so dear to my heart.  And as we celebrate Earth Day as a community today, I would like to invite you to share with us your photos of what you love about this wonder-full planet that we share.  You can add your shots to our Flickr pool or tag your Instagram shots with our hashtag #focusingonlife. 

Until next time, 

Kelly

10 comments:

heyjudephotography said...

Your love of the gardening and the earth come shining through in these beautiful photos Kelly! Happy Earth Day!

susan said...

It's finally here! Happy Earth Day! Beautiful images and post Kelly. After reading this...I'm thinking of heading to the local nursery and grabbing a tomato plant or two for my patio. xo!

Carol said...

Beautiful Kelly! I can't wait to see the Earth Day shots in the gallery!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, Kelly! Your plants look very healthy, and I love the little sprouts reaching towards the sun! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week!

gina said...

Happy Earth Day! Your garden images are just beautiful! I love gardening too.

terriporter said...

Oh, Kelly, you make me want to plant a garden! Not sure exactly what would grow here in our hot, dry desert besides cactus but I can imagine it would be so much fun to actually grow your own food! Beautiful photos and a very happy Earth Day to you!

Cathy said...

Nothing like your own veggies right in your own back yard. Happy Earth Day!

Linda/patchwork said...

I love to garden. My family says I'm obsessed. But, what a nice thing to be obsessed WITH.
Gardening is like witnessing miracles. New life sprouting up, right before your eyes.
Love your shots.
Happy Earth Day.

Jeanne said...

I CAN JUST SMELL THE SCENT OF THAT GOOD EARTH!

Barbara said...

Not cheesy at all. I completely agree. Miracle. Beautiful photos and words.

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