This week, we feature stories that teach us that even in the most challenging times, we can turn to gardening to feed our souls and nourish those around us who are in need.
When the COVID-19 crisis began and the country went on lockdown, “connection” is what many of us missed the most. Visiting family, meeting up with friends, traveling, or even just going to the farmers market – all of that had to be put on hold for the safety of everyone.
We all had more time at home than ever before this year. A lot of people looked to their garden as a refuge and a way to heal their bodies, comfort their hearts, and feed their families. Many even started gardening for the first time.
It’s true that we’re all in this together, but it’s also true that most of us never felt more alone than we did at certain times in 2020.
This was a year in which many people used their garden as a place of peaceful refuge while coping with the COVID-19 crisis and quarantine. If only everyone had a garden as lovely as the one in this picture sent to us by John & Maureen Lalley.
As gardeners, though, we found ways to connect. Maybe you’re a regular viewer of Growing A Greener World. Maybe you listen to Joe’s podcast or are a part of his online classes. Maybe you’ve reached out for gardening advice through email or Facebook. Whatever the case, we’re all connected.
So for this final episode, we thought that maybe the stories most worth sharing are yours. The everyday gardener doing your part to grow a greener world – and this year – doing your part to nourish your friends and neighbors through gardening.
We reached out to members of our online community, and what many of you shared about how you are coping with COVID are the stories that make up this episode.
We received so many heartfelt stories, but we could only use a few. It’s apparent that getting back to the garden is helping us all in ways we’re only just beginning to grasp.
Some gardeners reached out to those who didn’t have much time to garden this year. Mary Jeanne Ramos, pictured here, created mini-gardens in colorful grow bags for nurses on the front line at a Good Samaritan Hospital in Long Island. (Photo Credit: MJ Ramos)
As we kept getting emails and photos and videos, we saw a recurring theme that kept coming up over and over. Many people were using their extra time at home to do more growing or to start gardens for the first time.
And almost every one of them were also finding ways to do more sharing of both their harvest and of their know-how.
Many people started gardening for the first time this year during the pandemic. That was the case for Evan Naismith who is featured in this episode. Here’s a look at how he shared some of his extra seedlings with neighbors.
We also wanted to show you a peek behind the scenes at the crew responsible for bringing Growing a Greener World to you and sharing this information on various platforms.
It’s no surprise that we too used gardening as a place of refuge this year. You’ll get a glimpse at what each of us grew in our gardens this summer.
It’s no surprise that the Growing a Greener World team and crew spent a lot of time in their gardens this year. Here’s our Directory of Photography, Carl Pennington, showing us around a few of his plants.
Creating this episode reminded us that there really are so many ways a simple garden can bring about change. Hopefully, these stories – YOUR stories- that we’ve shared have given you hope and shown you the best in people at a time when it’s easy to feel isolated and divided.
These stories have also demonstrated the awesome yet simple power of plants and remind us that even though we aren’t all face-to-face as much as we used to be, there’s still a connection that we all share because of the garden.
Whether it was a large backyard or a tiny balcony like this one, gardeners found a way to experience the simple power of plants and take comfort in gardening. Maria Failla, who lives in New York City, the epicenter of the pandemic, set up a garden right on her apartment balcony.
We couldn’t think of a better way to end the season than to put the spotlight on home gardeners. Thank you for tuning in this season and following these stories.
A special thanks to those who wrote in with their stories, videos, and photos. If we weren’t able to include your story in this episode, just know we are grateful that you took the time to connect and share.
Thank you to Mary-Jeanne Ramos and the nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital in Long Island for the photo used at the top of this page in the video thumbnail for this episode.
And a huge thank you to all the healthcare and other front line workers for all your hard work this year. Your selfless service during this crisis is helping us all get through these tough times. You are truly heroes and we appreciate you!
Links & Resources
Growing a Greener World YouTube Episode 1113: Gardening to Feed Your Soul & Nourish Your Neighbors
Growing a Greener World Newsletter sign-up
The Online Gardening Academy and Master Seed Starting Notification Signup
The joe gardener Amazon Storefront
*Disclosure: Some product links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we would get a commission if you purchase. However, none of the prices of these resources have been increased to compensate us. None of the items included in this list have any bearing on any compensation being an influencing factor on their inclusion here. The selection of all items featured in this post and podcast were based solely on merit and in no way influenced by any affiliate or financial incentive, or contractual relationship. At the time of this writing, Joe Lamp’l has professional relationships with the following companies who may have products included in this post and podcast: Rain Bird, Corona Tools, Milorganite, Soil3, Exmark, and Wild Alaskan Seafood Box. These companies are either Brand Partners of joegardener.com and/or advertise on our website. However, we receive no additional compensation from the sales or promotion of their product through this guide. The inclusion of any products mentioned within this post is entirely independent and exclusive of any relationship.
About GGWTV
Growing A Greener World is a national gardening series on Public Television that features organic gardening, green living and farm to table cooking. Each episode focuses on compelling and inspirational people making a difference through gardening. This gardening series covers everything from edible gardening and sustainable agriculture to seasonal cooking and preserving the harvest.
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Loved this episode. My garden and yard have been a life saver for me this year. I’ve had the time to really get the little things done that I sometimes put off, adding several new beds and many new flowers. Planted so many new veggies in my raised beds that I haven’t tried before and now love. My freezer has frozen produce for me to use this winter. Will be starting plants in the spare bedroom soon so I’ll be puttering all year long. Love it and your show Joe. It’s a winner!!!!