It is now officially spring! That makes me think about gardening.

When my mother sees me passionate about gardening she just chuckles—of her four children I was always the least likely to get my hands dirty in the soil of Mother Earth. She just couldn’t imagine her banker daughter in her business suits and silk blouses wanting to work with a shovel and hoe.

But as soon as I moved to Grand Junction and saw how many things grow well here, I was hooked. Now the apricot tree is in full bloom, and I’m plotting dried and canned apricots, and maybe even some apricot jelly. I hope there isn’t a late freeze!

My garden grows all kinds of herbs, furits, vegetables, and flowers—some edible, some poisonous. All of us can grow something which has all kinds of benefits for us and for the planet. Homegrown food, which goes straight to the table (or stove) from the garden, is loaded with nutrients and flavor. It also reduces our carbon footprint. No expensive Mid-East oil is used in transporting that food to market.

Last year I didn’t get to work in the soil much because I was busy trying to convince people to vote for me. Since that mission failed, I think I’ll focus on being a better gardener this year. Maybe I’ll even have enough extra produce to give some to Grow Another Row.

I’ve linked to information about Grow Another Row below. It is a wonderful project that bridges the gap between home gardeners with a little extra produce and community organizations that feed the hungry and destitute in Mesa County. Why don’t you join me in planting another row?

Homework

Groups Supported by Grow Another Row

 Grow Another Row Story