There's nothing like planting a garden!

Monday, May 16, 2005

Dr. John W. Luton
Associate Professor - Mass Communication
Elizabeth City State University

Planting a garden is a wonderful way to relax.

Looking for a great way to relax? Then why not plant a vegetable garden this year. It's a great way to reduce stress and enjoy the outdoors, while preparing for some really great summer eating experiences.

I finally got out there today and planted my garden. Finishing a task like that always gets me excited -- more so than getting started.

So, what's in the garden this year?

I put in nine hills of squash (including crooked, straight and zuccinis), fourteen tomato plants (one cherry type, three that are supposed to bear monster fruits, and ten bush varieties that aren't supposed to require staking).

Next to the tomatoes, I put in six pepper plants. Three of these are sweet cherry peppers (which I've never tried before, but they sound delicious). The other three are sweet golden peppers. I couln't find any plain green peppers at my favorite gardening center; but the clerk said they should have more in a couple of days.

On the far end of the garden, I planted five hills of cucumbers. Four hills are of the straight variety (for salads). The remaining hill is planted in cucumbers that are supposed to be just right for pickling. Just in case my mother decides to make up a batch of her famous sweet pickles -- What these will do for tuna or chicken salad!

Don't forget the rabbits!

At the last minute (while still in the store), I decided to help out my furry rabbit friends by scrapping the last cucumber hill and converting the space for a small row of radishes and carrots. We like radishes and carrots too, and we'll probably get a few of them. I just thought it might be neat to plant some for the rabbits and just watch them feast. Something about Peter Rabbit and Farmer Brown's garden must have touched me I guess.

Gardening goes a little deeper than the seeds.

Well, I'm not sure anyone else will have an interest in reading about my garden, but I thought it might be nice just to jot down a few thoughts after planting this year. There's something about planting a garden that makes me feel at one with the earth -- like a certifiable tree-hugger. I grew up on a farm and I think my dad felt a similar connection to the soil. I love to watch things grow; I think I got that from Daddy because he did too.

Maybe being outside and digging in the dirt reminds me of a simpler time in my life -- before things got as hectic as they sometimes do nowadays. At any rate, I had a good time planting my garden this year and I can't wait for my wife to get home so I can show it off. I know she'll be pleased too. Then, in a month or so, we'll start reaping the fruits of my labors. With the price of tomatoes, I might even save a buck or two, but that's just a side benefit as far as I'm concerned. The real joy comes from watching seeds grow into plants which then blossom and bear fruit. I guess it's a lot like life.

I just hope I can bear enough fruit to justify where I'm planted.

Any thoughts or comments? Thinking about planting a garden? I'd love to hear about it!