We have always been blessed with plenty of space to have a large garden and for good gardening mentors along the way. I am still learning new things every year about growing vegetables and improving how I grow things. This has been a very interesting year for gardening, beginning with a huge rush on people buying seeds. Though some of the seed companies were able to respond to the demand, there was a time that there were almost no seeds to be had at the Coop. I just have had a heightened interest in gardening this year, spending more time in the greenhouse getting things started and doing a better job of soil preparation and even expanding the spaces we grow in.
But I am committing myself to Garden in Solidarity this year as well and to gardening for generosity. I received an email update from Edward in Uganda and in the Covid crisis there, a garden is more than a hobby, it’s a serious food source. I can get frustrated by cut worms, or cabbage moths, weeds, club root and fungus but I am still going to be able to eat tonight no matter what happens in my garden. For many in the world, the garden is like a farm that feeds the family and pays the school fees. It has never had to be that for me. I want to be more mindful this year that for many, the family garden is food on the table.