Savor summer by growing a garden

Have you noticed how differently we think about food these days?
With the recent news about the Cyclospora outbreak linked to fresh produce, I have definitely found myself paying a little closer attention to where our fruits and vegetables come from.
I tend to be a worrier, and while I have not had a good fresh salad since the outbreak hit the news, I am trying to find balance over the hysteria.
It’s been a very good reminder that knowing where our food comes from has value beyond just reading a label.
That is where summer gardens come in.
I have been grateful for my local farm stands because I know that my food is safe.
Those will begin to close in the coming weeks — and so what next? A no-veggie diet?
Bring in summer gardens.
There’s something so satisfying about stepping outside, pausing to brush aside a few tomato leaves, and selecting a perfectly ripe tomato for tonight’s BLT sandwich.
Or snipping fresh basil to toss over pasta just minutes before dinner.
The flavors are incredible, but it’s more than that.
Gardening has a way of slowing us down and helping us reconnect — with nature, with our food, and even with ourselves.
I am the furthest thing from a green thumb — ask anyone in my family about the collection of silk flowers that I have been gifted so I spare future flowers and plants from suffering the fate of so many plants in my past.
I am happy to testify, though, that you don’t have to be an expert gardener to grow some of your favorites in your backyard
You don’t need a tractor, a greenhouse, or even a big backyard.
A few containers on a sunny porch can grow herbs all summer long. A single raised bed can provide enough tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, and green beans to keep your family enjoying fresh produce for months.
Even if you’ve never planted a seed before, you’ll probably be surprised at just how rewarding it can be.
Growing your own produce isn’t a guarantee against foodborne illness, but it does give you greater control over how your vegetables are grown, harvested, and handled.
Of course, gardening feeds more than just our appetites.
There’s a certain peace that comes from watering plants early in the morning before the day gets busy.
Pulling a few weeds becomes an excuse to unplug.
Watching a tiny seedling transform into dinner over the course of a few weeks is a reminder that some of life’s best things simply can’t be rushed.
Knowing you grew your own food is pretty satisfying — those lettuce leaves just taste better than anything you will ever buy at the store.
August is often when gardens are at their best.
Tomatoes are finally turning red, peppers are hanging heavy on the vines, herbs seem to double in size overnight, and if you’re growing zucchini, you’re probably looking for neighbors willing to take that bounty off your hands! Zucchini bread for everyone, right?
It’s also the perfect time to think about preserving summer.
Freeze fresh herbs in olive oil, make homemade salsa, can tomato sauce, or simply share your extra harvest with friends.
Summer doesn’t have to end when the calendar says so.
Quick Tips for Starting
Your Own Garden
• Start small. A few pots or one raised bed is plenty for your first try;
• Choose easy options. Tomatoes, lettuce, basil, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, and zucchini are all beginner-friendly;
• Give plants plenty of sun. Most vegetables need at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day;
• Water consistently. Deep watering a few times a week is better than a light sprinkle every day;
• Harvest often. The more you pick many vegetables and herbs, the more they’ll produce; and
• Don’t aim for perfection. Every gardener loses a plant, battles weeds, or discovers a tomato with a bite taken out of it. Don’t let that derail your efforts.
Whether you grow one pot of parsley on your porch or harvest baskets of vegetables from your backyard, you’ll discover that gardening offers something our busy lives often lack — a reason to slow down and appreciate the season.
This August, while summer is still shining, consider planting something.
You might be surprised to find that what grows isn’t just fresh food, but a little more joy, a little less stress, and a deeper appreciation for the simple pleasures that make this time of year so special.