I recently read a negative editorial on gardening, this editor went on in great length about all the work, pain, complaints and found everything wrong with gardening, he wasn't even happy to get the harvest, too much work! This kinda offended me, and got to wonder what kind of person would bash a farmer? I took offense and I only supply food for our family, but it's a labor of love!
With the new age movements making gardening and homesteading hip again, I'm using my blog to encourage MORE to garden! Everyone likes to eat, and you haven't eaten a true tomato until you've had a heirloom tomato that farmers grew in the 1800's, with no chemicals, that's real food! Am I a farmer, heck no, but I do feed my family from a garden, eggs from the coop and I'm aiding Mother Nature by supplying host plants for butterflies and bees. The beauty I'm adding by planting flowers is adding to our home investment and it makes me happy! The herbs I grow are used for medicine, cooking, cleaning, and pest control. We are organic and it's working, so maybe I am a farmer of sorts? There is alot more to gardening than complaining about the sore back, the weeding or the bugs, it's a way of life, one that we can trust and have faith in. The weather, on the other hand, is a beast of it's own, and that is the biggest obstacle this season.
Very nice post, Sue. I had gardened when my boys were little, but full-time work eventually made me place that on the back burner. Last year, my younger son's (new) girlfriend cajoled me into teaching her "everything I know" about gardening (she thinks I know everything - I love her!). We had a great garden last year, and about tripled the size this year. What I re-found about gardening is that it has brought our ENTIRE family closer together - three of us get out there at first, but invariably, one by one or two by two, the rest just can't resist the pull, until all 7 (or 8 or 10 depending on who's visiting) are getting our hands dirty or at least admiring the radishes and peas that popped up overnight. And there is nothing like seeing the wonder in the little ones' eyes at that first carrot they pull out of the ground, or finding all those potatoes huddled inside the tires in the fall. Complain? Makes you wonder if the person who wrote that is ever happy about anything.
ReplyDeleteBravo...boy I dislike people who judge things...good for you to stand up to this and encourage others.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for the person that wrote that. He just doesn't get what it is like to in the middle of a garden when everything is producing. Nature at its best! Some people just aren't made to dig in the dirt!
ReplyDeleteThat person must have be one of those large farms for profit people who want to discourage others from being self sufficient. Has he not seen how charming your home life is...how happy and content you are....and how many blogger friends you have ? :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you. My husband has always done the gardening. This year he's too busy with the cafe. I think I'm going to try some tomatoes. Any suggestions for ones that grow well in Southern Missouri?
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Laura
Dear Sue, Yes gardening can be looked at as work OR it can be a great source of blessing and exercise and the fruit of the harvest is a gratitude for what God has given us! Well written and well said my friend! You need to Link this next Wenesday! It is a great reminder for what saved many from starvation years ago! And there is nothing like a home grown tomato!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mothers Day to you!
Blessings, Roxy
I have gardened since I was old enough to hold a trowel and I'm 53 now! It's therapy to me and a lot cheaper than a therapist!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Linda