My vegetable garden is not as big as it used to be, but I still grow enough vegetables and fruits that I have some to share with neighbors. And they share special things they have grown with me.
Have you looked at the labels of processed foods closely? All the additives and preservatives concern me. And labels don’t even include pesticide residues which may also be present. I know what I have put on my fruits and vegetables. We used to can a lot, but most of our extra produce now goes into the freezer (without preservatives, fillers or pesticides). The taste of just-picked fruits and vegetables alone is enough to keep me growing my own.
Gardening keeps my mind active. A lot of people ask me questions. I often have to search to find answers. In the process, I run across other interesting information that I wasn’t looking for. It gets me into my library of horticultural books. The internet is also a wonderful resource for all kinds of information.
I have garden friends who make money from gardening. A little extra space can be used to grow specialty vegetables or flowers for sale at the farmer’s market.
The most important reward from gardening is the self-actualization which comes from the creative process. When I plant, prune or rearrange my landscape, I get a greater sense of accomplishment than from almost anything else I do. I have watched seeds or small plants grow to maturity with the help of my nurturing. Sharing this process with my wife, children, grandchildren and friends is part of the process.
Although none of my grown children are as actively involved with gardening as I am, they all love the beauty and solitude of the landscape around their homes. I continue to encourage their interest, answer their questions, and help them with their landscapes as often as possible.
