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Things for Which I Can Be Thankful as an Organic Gardener

© Deborah Turton

In this time of worry and stress, I felt I should take some time out to be thankful for what my garden provides.

I can be thankful for the bench on the edge of my emerging shade garden. It’s peaceful and nice to sit and read a good book with my feet up on the log. The Trillium came back for their second year this year. The leaves I used have started to improve the soil and the area of ground covers is starting to fill in. But mostly the spot reminds that I garden because I like the process of building a garden rather than the completed work.

I can be thankful for my red peppers this year. I had an especially good crop of peppers this year. They produced large amounts of peppers or simply large peppers. My children took to calling them candy peppers because they were so sweet. My plum tomatoes were the largest I’d ever grown and my beans were wonderful and very prolific. My azaleas were as beautiful as ever, and my daylilies bloomed all summer long in a dazzling display. My squash was horrible, but next year I have another chance.

I’m thankful for the patience that gardening has taught me. Especially organic gardening. There are few quick fixes in organic gardening. It’s a long term approach that takes a certain amount of patience combined with trial and error. My soil is slowly improving in my shade garden as I add more leaves. I realize I’m not going to be able to turn my soil into beautiful loam overnight. But I also have learned that adding leaves and other organic matter can eventually turn my clay into something a plant could love.

I’m thankful that my children are learning to love the garden. Even more I’m thankful that my most easily disappointed child has learned that next year is always another chance. It’s a very important lesson that every gardener should learn. The year turns and you have another chance to try and grow more flowers, vegetables and whatnots.

I’m thankful more and more people are trying organic methods. It’s easier to find organic soil supplies. It’s easier to find information, and it’s easier to find people who understand your philosophy. Non-organic gardeners are more willing to listen to you about alternative methods and then try those methods. Even simply acknowledging that there are methods that don’t include chemicals is an important first step.

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