Benefits of starting a Small Garden

For the past two years, gardening has been an activity that has completely changed my life.

It seems cliché, I know, but gardening itself teaches you so many lessons, and is also a great stress relief.

It’s been my place of refuge and relaxation.

Sometimes I just like to sit in my garden, stare at the plants, and watch nature do its thing. I bring my coffee cup or sip on tea while surrounded by nature first thing in the morning, and the world just seems so much more simple. Which leads to the next benefit.

It’s made me slow down and appreciate the world around me.

This may also seem cliché, but it really does make you have to slow down. The process of growing isn’t one that only lasts overnight. When something is growing (figuratively and literally), that growth takes times. Sometimes you can’t even notice the growth. You may not notice that your zucchini squash doubled in size overnight! But it makes you realize that growth is a process.

Gardening isn’t a destination

Is any garden actually ever done? I mean, things are constantly growing around you, things die, others come back to life, but there’s always life rotating. The tomatoes may be nearing the end of their season and the herbs may go to flowers. Flowers stop appearing on you squash, and your sunflowers start to drop their seeds. Sometimes those plants just need more nutrients added back to the soil. They’ve been growing all summer and they’re tired. But then soon it’s time to being planting again. When the summer garden starts coming to an end, start another round of seeds and seedlings for the Fall garden. Life is always going, so it’s impossible to reach a destination in gardening.

Perfect activity for your kids

I generally feel that planting is so much for beneficial for kids to see, learn and do, than it is for adults. For us, we are gardening for the process of doing it, knowing that we can expect something out of it. But for kids, there’s SO much more for them to learn.

Nature

They learn about seeds and how they turn into plants. They see the growing process. They’re much more connected to nature. They appreciate the energy and life that the sun provides. They learn that all you need to grow food is sun, soil, and water. And (most importantly…maybe) they learn where their vegetables come from! I’ve noticed from talking with other parents that kids are much more likely to eat (or at least try) the vegetables that they grow. My son wouldn’t even touch a salad, but after growing some arugula, he only preferred eating it off the plant because he grew it himself.

Kids also learn the meaning of work and patience. They learn that their work is going to pay off eventually, as long as they put in the work and the time to take care of something.

Bugs!

They also learn about pollinators. My son is obsessed with butterflies now that he knows what their jobs are. He’s also less afraid of bees and other flying insects since he learned that pollinators help make our fruits and veggies grow. But every bug in our garden is not saved from the wrath of being squashed by him!

Little garden helpers

And lastly, let’s face it. It’s great to have some help in the garden from little hands. Let them water your plants. Let them start their own seeds. Every growing season I let my son pick out what vegetables he wants to grow and it’s his job to take care of that plant. If you’re afraid of them getting into your plants (some kids can be a little rough!), give them their own section in the garden to take care of. They’ll love it and feel a sense of responsibility. Just don’t forget that while they’re outside to give them plenty of sunscreen, hats if possible, and plenty of water for them to drink!

That's what I have for now, friends. Stay tuned for more tips! If there's anything else you'd like me to write about, or anything else you'd like to learn, let me know!

Leave me a comment and share with fellow garden lovers!

Stay safe, wash your hands and wear a mask.

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Love always,

Momma Naturalista