Craving a space to unwind and let the troubles of the world drift away with the breeze? A place where windchimes softly sound in harmony with the birds, where the fragrance of fresh herbs and lavender soothes the senses, and where the miracle of nature unfolds before your very eyes?
2024 is the Year of the Wellness Garden, and for good reason. We are inundated with the noise and pressures of deadlines in a digital world. Because we are always on the go, our diets and sleep schedules suffer, contributing to a decrease in overall health and wellbeing. We are tired and strained, and as a result, our relationships deteriorate. Perhaps the greatest toll is on our inner peace and balance.
It’s time to reclaim your health and manifest more peace and quiet in your life by building a Wellness Garden – a quiet spot, intentionally designed to provide nourishment in the form of fresh vegetables and herbs, and therapy through nature’s healing touch.
Here are 4 easy steps to start a Wellness Garden in your own backyard:
Step 1: Plan
- What is the main purpose of your Wellness Garden?
- Will you be creating new areas, raised beds, or containers?
- How much space, time, and motivation are you willing to invest?
- Which vegetables and culinary or medicinal herbs do you want to try?
- How will you source the tools, plants, and other materials required?
Step 2: Prepare
- Select the space with the best sun exposure for your in-ground beds, raised beds, or containers
- Remove debris and existing turf to prep the new space for in-ground beds, or install raised beds
- Conduct a soil test to determine if additional nutrients are required
- Add additional soil and organic matter like mushroom compost, manure, worm castings, or other amendments
- Make sure a water source is available and easily accessible
- Draw a layout to maximize the space using the square foot gardening method or other system
- Consider comfort – add a bench or comfortable lawn chair
- Personalize it – add some whimsical elements like windchimes or garden décor – things that make you smile
Step 3: Plant
- Start seeds like tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers indoors
- Follow seed packet instructions to ensure they are started at the ideal time for transplanting
- Monitor health and growth of seedlings
- Harden off and transplant seedlings into beds or containers
- Purchase started transplants to supplement seedlings
- Direct sow crops like peas, squash, and melons
- Don’t forget to add edible flowers, fragrant herbs, or other plants that increase joy
Step 4: Maintenance
- Water appropriately
- Fertilize as needed
- Control weeds
- Monitor for pests and diseases
- Don’t forget to have fun…
- Gather your herbs and produce, cut fresh flowers, and enjoy the harvest!
Would you like to learn more about Wellness Gardening? Have you always wanted to try growing vegetables and herbs but don’t know where to start? Are you curious about the ways herbs and vegetables can contribute to improved health?
Join us for Saturdays with the Sage Tomato at Himmel’s Landscape and Garden Center on January 13th at 10AM and find out!
