Put your gloves on…

Put your (garden) gloves on, and get gardening!

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to develop a close, personal relationship with the Earth?

Dig in the dirt, figure out what it needs and provide it, put in some plants or seeds, water when it's dry, keep it neat, nurture the plants along, and harvest the fruits of your labor.

Everyone can grow something – vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains, legumes, and flowers. Yes, flowers count. They make the world a more beautiful place.

Everyone can plant seeds somewhere – in a field, in a yard, in a pot on the deck or windowsill.

It's a great hobby for families. Kids can take responsibility for a plant, or they can help with the whole garden. When the peas or cherry tomatoes or strawberries come in, kids love to eat straight from the garden (there is nothing like sun-warmed produce, picked and popped directly into your mouth!).

If you're leery of gardening, start with a few pots of herbs. If you have questions, ask at your local garden center, ask your neighbors, ask your mom. You already know someone who gardens. If it feels scary or intimidating, remember they're just plants, and you won't hurt anyone or anything by trying. If it doesn't work out exactly as you planned, well then, welcome to the world of farming, and say hello to the financial risk that farmers take every year.

Get familiar with the rhythm of the Earth, the cycle of growth, the balance between wet/dry, cold/hot, early/late. Learn the importance of good topsoil and clean water. Connect with your the lifestyle of your ancestors.

Plant a garden. You'll grow, too.

Happy Earth Day!