Why People DON'T Garden, and how to change their minds

To garden is to use the Earth as a canvas on which we create beautiful and sustainable works of art. Garden time is play time. Garden time is meditation time. Garden time is exercise time, 'me' time, couples time, or family time. We all know the many benefits of digging in the dirt - physical, health and nutrition, environmental, financial and emotional - it is why we are here after all: to learn more about gardens, backyard homesteading, and how to share our passion with others. Some folks are tough recruits though; no matter how much they love the IDEA of gardening, it is just too overwhelming an enterprise for them to actually actually DO.

I have been reviewing websites for good information about 'gardening' and 'homesteading' basics. Because organic gardening and composting tend to form the 'core' of backyard homesteading, these subjects have been the focus of my search. There are some awesome sites out there to be sure, but for the most part it seems like gardening and composting are being presented as 'science' rather than 'art'. Certainly there is a science to gardening: we need to know what plants will survive in our areas, which insects are harmful vs. our garden allies, and how to judge the health of our soil. But there is NOT A BOOK OR WEBSITE IN THE WORLD that can explain gardening like EXPERIENCE. And if our non-gardening wannabe-greener friends are overwhelmed by facts, figures, charts, the periodic table of elements, and carbon to nitrogen ratios, they may indeed never try.

People DON'T GARDEN when they feel:

- overwhelmed by science and what 'they don't already know'

- intimidated by glossy magazines featuring perfect, weed free, professional gardens

- as if they have a "black thumb" because some (or many) plants have died in the past

- they don't feel a connection to their home, and are afraid to 'invest' in putting down roots

LEAD BY EXAMPLE (and change someone's opinion without words):

*Share your joy, passion, and of course, your harvest!

*Invite people to your garden or homestead, even if it isn't 'perfect' at the moment (especially if it isn't perfect at the moment!)
*Offer to help someone with plant selection or starting their first bed.

*Share your failures with a light heart

*Answer questions with a smile:)

Travel forth and spread the vibes, and help others get growing!
Photo above is from "edible estates", a delightful movement...click here for link to Edible Estates.