Gardening is one of the oldest hobbies known to man. Not only was it created to sustain people with a fresh source of food, but also because it calms the soul and allows one to convene with the Earth once again. By being in touch with nature, one feels a little more in touch with the self, which can create a sense of purpose and meaning.
Frankly, I enjoy gardening for a variety of reasons. Not only can I grow my own food and try new and exciting things, I can also grow flowers from annuals and perennials to create my own little paradise in which I can retreat. Alone time is always a welcome event when I get the chance, but time with friends in the same setting creates lasting memories that just can’t be created anywhere else.
The Jamestown Community Gardens is starting its eighth successful year by providing the public with a chance to rent a plot to grow their own food. You could be a candidate for this opportunity for various reasons. Maybe you live in an apartment and don’t have the yard space available to grow your own garden or even deck space to container grow a few things. Maybe you are a homeowner who does not have the yard space conducive to growing a healthy garden due to too much shade or poor soil conditions. Maybe you have a garden already but just don’t have the space for those large crops such as potatoes, winter squash, pumpkins or cucumbers that take up a great deal of growing room. Whatever your circumstance may be, this is a great program to allow you a chance to create your own garden in a manageable atmosphere.
In this day and age when fresh produce is difficult to come by, it is a fun adventure to begin growing your own vegetables. Not only do they taste better than store-bought, they are also chemical free and do not contain artificial colorings or waxes to make them look good. Nothing looks better than a fresh vegetable straight out of the garden and onto the table.
I will not be the first one to tell you how poorly a tomato tastes from the store during most seasons of the year, but one from the garden just bursts with flavor and freshness. We can say the same for cucumbers as the store-bought ones always have that wax on their skins and never seem as crisp or flavorful. At times a variety of peppers from the store could nearly make you go broke due to the expense, but the produce from the garden seems nearly unlimited and can be preserved through the winter for eating at a later date.
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Being out in the garden sometimes even enticed people to join you for a visit or just to ask you about various things you are growing. I think it is a safe and common ground that people feel good talking about. After all, we all eat and always want to know more about the good things we can get right at home, plus it opens the door for additional friendships and bonds.
I personally enjoy it just to rejuvenate my mind and add a sense of calmness to my day. In fact, it is one of the first things I do when I get home to find my inner peace once again from the chaos that can occur within the day’s routines.
In our reality of living healthier, this is the perfect way to kick start that plan into action. Not only is it rewarding to grow your own produce, but it is also much more healthy and easier on our environment. The top bonus to this process is that you know exactly where your food is coming from and how it has been handled from the beginning.
Registration for renting a garden plot for this season’s Community Gardens will be held on Sunday, April 24th from 1 to 3 p.m. at Temple Baptist Church at 1200 12th Ave. NE in Jamestown in the front entrance. Each plot is 12 feet by 12 feet and costs $30 for the season along with a $30 refundable cleaning deposit. This deposit is returned at the end of the season when the individual plot has been cleaned up. If you want a second plot, each additional plot runs an extra $15 with no additional deposit up to a limit of six plots per person.
If you are interested in gardening and want to be involved in this program, come out to the registration and rent a plot! This year will be another busy season to get involved and do something you love. If you have additional questions or want to be on the steering committee, please contact the Jamestown Community Gardens at JCommunityGardens@yahoo.com or go to their website at JamestownCommunityGardens.org to download registration forms at any time and mail them in with payment. The Community Gardens also offers the Seed Library, which is open to the public at the Stutsman County Public Library, providing free seeds to use in your gardens as a public service.
Enjoy this coming growing season and keep in mind, you don’t just have to grow vegetables, you can also grow flowers if you like and use the space for a cutting garden to make bouquets in your home. What a wonderful way to brighten up your environment! Enjoy a wonderful weekend!
