Why Do I Garden?
Why Do We Garden?
Why? A question asked by children over and over, yet not asked by adults enough. In a world with so many questions I often find many people asking the wrong question. There are times for other questions (what, how, when, etc.). But many of those questions are directed by the first question, why.
My focus on gardening and coaching is to not get caught up in the what’s and how’s, but to really dig into the question of why. Why do we garden? Why do we like sports? Why do I like to be outside? This sparks curiosity, deep thinking, and widens out our perspective. So my goal with Athletic Eco Gardens is to get people asking the question of why again!
So it’s only fair that I share my why’s. And as you’ll see from asking this questions it has altered my path and is constantly changing. The answer to the question can change year to year, day to day, situation to situation. But as long as we are asking the questions we can help lead ourselves to the places we want to reach. Here are some of my major why’s when it comes to gardening.
My Whys
Growing Healthy Nutrient Dense Food
Growing my own food became a vital part of my life due to health reasons. As a former educator in a college's Health Sciences and Athletics department, my focus was on guiding individuals towards enhancing their fitness levels and embracing healthier lifestyles. In pursuit of providing the most valuable health recommendations to my students, I delved deeply into the realm of nutrition. Through my studies, I unraveled the profound impact of fresh, chemical-free food on one's well-being. The detrimental effects of herbicides and pesticides commonly used in conventional farming practices became evident to me, emphasizing the importance of consuming untainted produce. Furthermore, I discovered that the modern food industry often compromised the nutrient content of crops compared to earlier times. Motivated by a desire to secure access to fresh and uncontaminated food sources, I embarked on the journey of cultivating my own edible plants. Consequently, my primary objective in gardening is to harvest wholesome produce to nourish both my family and myself.
Gardening is Fun!
There was no looking back now! Once I started gardening for health purposes, I soon discovered another reason to garden…because it is fun! To me there was nothing better than getting outside and literally enjoying the fruits of your labor. Whether it’s biting into a fresh peach or getting our hands in the fresh soil it was all fun! There was nothing more satisfying than pulling a bright colored carrot after planting a tiny seed months earlier. I was hooked, and my new why was because I love to have fun gardening!
Ecological Benefits
Every day spent in the garden brought about a delightful observation of the increasing presence of bees, ladybugs, worms, birds, and various animals. Witnessing these creatures connecting and thriving within the garden ecosystem expanded my perspective to see the importance of stewarding ecosystems not just locally but on a global scale. It deepened my appreciation for these resilient beings navigating challenges posed by human expansion, environmental destruction, and pollution. Consequently, my gardening focus evolved towards the creation of nurturing ecological habitats for all my beloved garden friends, fostering a harmonious coexistence.
There are numerous other reasons that I will gradually reveal, but these three lie at the heart of the motivation behind my gardening journey. It is essential for all of us to pursue our passions (our reasons) in every aspect of our lives. Remember, never hesitate to seek the answer to "why!"
