6 Reasons We Keep A Small Garden & A Kitchen Garden Planner

There are so many reasons to garden. Just watching the little green shoots grow can inspire you to try more the next year.

I’m a big believer in gardening, even if it is just a few flowers and a tomato plant on the patio. My husband and I have been drawing out vegetable gardens on graph paper to plan where and how much of everything to plant since before we were married. We were big dreamers then and still are now 😉

Even if your small attempt at gardening is something you have never done or seen done, it is wonderful to see the effort of your hands turn into something that you can enjoy watching grow or enjoy together at the kitchen table.

6 Reasons I Garden

1. Self-Sufficiency and Money-Savings

This is why many people have a garden, and indeed it is a good one. With fuel and food costs going up annually, and crop problems around the world, being able to produce food in your own backyard is a wise investment of time and energy.
You will be more self-sufficient, and the resources that are freed up from buying food can help meet your other financial or preparedness goals.

2. Improved Health and Relieving Stress in the Garden

Health is my current big reason to get outside in the soil. It is a joy to know just what it is that you are putting in your body – hit the delete button on all the added chemicals and genetic modifications. Fresh air, sunshine, exercise, even sweating out some of our bodies toxins can help us get a good night’s sleep and be physically renewed. There is also much evidence that ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding‘ can build up our immune systems and eradicate chronic inflammation.

Gardening is a recognized therapy for depression. I have always felt so much better after a few days of work in the yard or garden. I have so much more mental energy during the summer, and I attribute it to working out of doors.

3. Good Quality Food

It is just hard to beat the freshness and incredible taste of homegrown produce when you don’t use chemicals! Store bought just cannot compete.

4. Awareness of The Creator’s World

Today’s world is going a million miles a minute. Electric lights telling our bodies it is day time all the time and there are artificial sounds everywhere. Suddenly, when you garden, you notice where the sun is and how that translates to time. You start to see the subtle differences in soil, and actually appreciate that a wriggly worm is actually your garden helper. You become aware of God’s creativity and beauty when you commit to becoming a gardener, no matter how small.

If you are anything like me, you will probably see this awareness spill over into other areas of your life. Your family’s smiles start to mean more as you become more aware of the passing of another year. Each rain and each sunshine have their own special feel. I feel so alive as I worship our Creator in my quiet nature space.

A beneficial bee on Chinese cabbage flowers

5. Community Garden

There is often camaraderie in gardening. Even the smallest child will love to pick up a spade and dig or carry the watering can for you. Suddenly you might find you have a new common goal with your husband. And once you harvest that wonderful fresh produce, you will be able to share with friends to show your love and build goodwill.

I love the practicality and fun of a community garden, sharing garden space and trading seeds. Bartering can become a new avenue to saving.

6. Seed Saving Sustainability

So as not to be dependent on a corrupted seed market, I encourage everyone to learn to save seed from one year to the next. Planting heirloom seed is the only way to insure having viable seed from year to year. This post 4 Ways To Keep Monsanto Out Of Your Home Garden will illuminate you as to what is happening now worldwide with seed. This is an existential threat, for sure.

Here are a few posts to learn how to save your own seed: https://deeprootsathome.com/?s=seed+saving

Interactive Kitchen Garden Planner

There are several garden planning software you can purchase. However, I found a very good free online vegetable garden planner at the Gardener’s Supply Company website.

Gardener’s Supply’s interactive planner —> https://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/KGP-Design (You will see it is under construction now.)

But even if that is not working, here is a neat little video with some ideas on how to plan your garden.

Consider making it a ‘game’ for your children by using some graph paper and having them draw out their plans. You never know, but it may spark a budding gardener and help along new creative-thinking skills.