Finding Garden Zen During a Pandemic
Well, this is a post title I never thought I’d write!
These days, we are experiencing 24/7 COVID-19 coverage. Our lives are altered by this pandemic that is finding its way around the globe. We do whatever we can to avoid the illness, take care of those who have it, and try to imagine what life will look like on the “other side” of it all.
As we try to stay home to “flatten the curve,” many have started to think more about gardening because they have more time at home to tend to a garden. While we are trying to avoid too many trips to the grocery store, the idea of growing our own food seems even more appealing. During these stressful times, gardening offers calming focus, interesting challenges, and reassuring progress. Harvesting the food you grow is a feeling like no other — a feeling of accomplishment and nourishment. All of this is what brings me back to the garden year after year. As much as gardening can have its challenges, it facilitates a positive outlook and provides a bit of “zen” when we need it the most.
Solving the challenges of gardening during a pandemic
If you’re thinking more about gardening, it should come as no surprise that many others are too. This has created shortages in seed availability, making them as hard to find as toilet paper. We are also trying to avoid going to the nursery to browse seedlings to transplant or to get the soil and compost we may need for raised beds or containers. These challenges have solutions, however, and it doesn’t mean your gardening dreams won’t come to life.
Do a seed exchange through local social media groups
Almost every town/city/region of the country has a gardening group (or many) on social media, particularly on Facebook. Join one near you and join or start a seed exchange (at a safe social distance). I have extra seeds that I’ve been offering to friends and neighbors. I keep my seeds in the refrigerator to keep them in a cool, dark place all year, so even last year’s seeds should be just fine in most cases.
Do curbside pickup or delivery from your local nursery
Don’t only think about the big-box stores! Your local nurseries rely on your purchases to stay afloat. These smaller businesses are getting hit hard and need your business to keep going. Many of the local nurseries are willing to do curbside pickup and do more local deliveries at a reduced fee or for free. They often have everything you need - seeds, transplants, soil, compost, containers, amendments, and more. I called one of my local nurseries last week and placed an order over the phone for some potting soil and compost they promptly delivered. They were happy for the business and I could get started when I needed to.
Purchase seeds online
There are still places from which to order seeds or even seedlings online. Some of my main sources are either only selling to farmers or halting new orders for some time to be sure they can fulfill existing orders. But, they’ll eventually lift some restrictions - just keep checking the websites for updates or use the “notify me” mechanism if available to be alerted when they have seeds for sale. Remember that you can find seeds in more than just gardening catalogs. Although those are my usual go-to sources, they’ve been a bit overwhelmed. Along with checking with your local nurseries, look at other sites that sell seeds like Walmart or Amazon.
Take an online gardening course
There are many ways to learn more about gardening, right from your own home. If you find these days, you’ve been filling your extra time with Netflix, consider taking some of that time to learn to be a better gardener. Search on your own to find one that suits your needs or try some of these suggestions:
Top 5 Online Gardening Courses (Organic Authority)
Certified Gardener Program (Colorado State University)
Online Gardening Courses: 35 Gardening Classes to Take at Home (Home for the Harvest)
The National Gardening Association has some great tips and a learning library.
Need a few tips?
Here are a few links to articles I’ve posted over the years that may help with planning and getting started.
I’ve always found gardening therapeutic. It takes me to a place I’d rather be during times of stress and helps me think more clearly. I am in the garden every day during the growing season and I’m better for it. I hope you can find your “garden zen” as a way of mentally and physically getting through the stress of this pandemic. No matter how your garden grows, I wish everyone a healthy, safe year ahead. Be well.
