GARDEN PATH: Sharing good rewards for body and soul

Welcome to this week’s edition of Flower Crown.

As early June unfolds, nature graces us with warmer temperatures and a vibrant color palette dominated by rich oranges and sunny yellows. At this time of year, gardens and landscapes come alive with the fiery blooms of the early bird daylily, the striking beauty of the double oriental poppy and the bright berries of the cranberry.

Growing food to combat food insecurity

In the face of global challenges such as climate change, economic instability and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity has become an increasingly pressing issue.

Fresh produce often travels thousands of miles before reaching your table. But there is a powerful solution… the act of growing food!

Let’s explore how organic gardening can play a role in addressing food insecurity, empowering individuals and communities to cultivate resilience from the ground up.

Even imperfect homegrown vegetables are often better than anything you can buy at the store.

Don’t have the space or time to build a vegetable bed, why not plant some vegetables and herbs in your existing flower beds? There are no rules here.

Brightly colored chard, kale and lettuce can add texture and color alongside marigolds and zinnias. Incorporate berry bushes such as blueberries, raspberries and currants into your garden design. They can be used as a hedge, border or stand-alone plants.

Replace traditional ground covers with edible ones like strawberries or creeping thyme. They provide beauty, reduce weeds and provide tasty treats.

Even if you’re in a small apartment or have killed everything you’ve tried to grow in the past, you can garden. It doesn’t require a lot of money, time or space.

Practical advice for new gardeners

Start with a small, manageable garden or a few containers. That way, you can learn the basics without feeling overwhelmed.

Start with vegetables that are known to be forgiving and easy to grow, such as lettuce, radishes and beans. Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden. Enrich your soil with compost and organic matter.

Regular watering, weeding and pest monitoring are essential to garden success. Set a schedule to maintain consistency.

Keep a gardening journal to track what works and what doesn’t. Use this information to improve your gardening practices each season.

For those with limited space, container gardening is a perfect solution. Here are some ideas to get you started: Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, kale, swiss chard, and even strawberries grow exceptionally well in containers.

Herbs such as fragrant basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, mint and chives can be grown in beautifully arranged containers, ready to elevate your culinary creations.

This year, I wanted to create something really special in my garden – a focal point that would enhance its beauty and serve a greater purpose. I came up with the idea of ​​a garden teepee and knew it was perfect.

I gathered sturdy dead cedar poles and arranged them in a circle, pinning the tips together to form the classic teepee shape.

As I worked, I imagined how this structure would transform my garden. I chose plants to climb and weave through the tepee: cucumbers, squash, scarlet beans, and my favorite…purple beans!

The cucumbers will twist on their side, their crunchy fruit hanging like ornaments. Pumpkins will be nestled in cool shade under dense foliage. Scarlet beans and purple beans will add a pop of red and purple, attracting bees and butterflies.

Sitting in the cool, green shade, surrounded by the soft rustle of leaves and hum of pollinators, I feel that my tipi has created an energy vortex, a special space where time stands still.

Donate some of your garden to a local food bank

It is a wonderful idea to share the bounty of our gardens with those in need. The plant a row, grow a row initiative is a perfect way for home gardeners to contribute to their communities.

By encouraging gardeners to plant an extra row of vegetables specifically for donation, we can have a substantial impact on local hunger.

The program’s founders point out that if each gardener participates by planting just one extra row and donating their surplus produce to local food banks and soup kitchens, we can collectively help reduce food insecurity in our areas.

This initiative not only provides fresh and healthy food to those who need it, but also promotes a sense of community and common purpose.

The rising cost of living, including housing and food prices, is pushing more families into food insecurity. Approximately 4.4 million Canadians, including 1.2 million children, live in food insecure households.

Gardening is a wonderful activity that brings joy and a sense of fulfillment to people of all ages. Above all, if you can get plants to produce any amount of food, you’ve succeeded.

Gardening is not about perfection, it’s about progress and growth. Every tomato, cucumber or plant you pick is proof of your efforts and a step towards self-sustainability. Remember, even small victories are significant.

Even the most experienced gardeners face setbacks, and each garden season brings its own set of challenges, whether it’s pests, unpredictable weather or soil issues.

Accepting that failure is part of the process allows you to learn and improve. Over time, these lessons will make you a more resilient and knowledgeable gardener.

Let’s inspire each other to grow a little extra this year, share the rewards and enjoy the countless benefits of gardening.

(All photos by Monika Rekola)

Landscape designer and certified horticulturist, Monika Rekola brings landscapes to life with her passion for gardening and CAD design, guided by a deep love for all living things. As a budding homemaker and garden writer, she shares her passion for sustainable living. With a knack for recycling and repurposing, Monika finds beauty in simplicity, while her love of birds makes her an avid nature watcher. Engaged in forest management and gardening with an ecological focus, she strives to create balance in our delicate ecosystem. She can be reached at (email protected).