My Life-Giving Garden Fills Me With Gratitude

I've been waiting six long years for this.

The journey began when my partner moved in about 11 years ago, bringing his potted plants to my yard on Canada's West Coast. After years of relocating, he finally planted them in the ground, signaling to me that he was here to stay. Shortly thereafter, he established a landscaping business, bringing home discarded plants from his clients, which gradually transformed our yard into a lush garden sanctuary.

Our focus wasn't solely on flowers; we both cherished the idea of growing our own food. Instead of a traditional garden, we created raised beds using granite rocks salvaged from a construction site where Chris worked. He would transport these substantial stones in his small trailer, and each month, our garden evolved into a vibrant blend of beauty and nourishment.

Over the course of four summers, we nurtured the garden, which by the time we decided to travel full-time in 2017, provided us with about 70% of our annual vegetable needs. It was a labor of love, and little did we know that our garden would become the aspect of our previous life we missed the most.

What exactly did we long for?

As we explored various places in the years that followed, the question of what we missed from our old life arose frequently. The answer was always the same: our garden.

The reasons for this longing are hard to articulate. Was it the daily creative outlet? The thrill of watching our plants flourish and anticipating the harvest? Or perhaps the tranquility we experienced while seated amongst the greenery?

Identifying the exact cause is challenging, but one thing is clear: cultivating a garden and witnessing its growth brings us immense joy. We take pride in the fact that we can provide ourselves with healthy, nutritious food, free from chemicals and pesticides.

A garden enhances our well-being—both mentally and physically.

Finally Getting Our Own Garden

Last January, upon returning to Canada in 2023, we took on roles as farmhands on a sprawling property in Eastern Alberta. This farm includes a house for us and an untouched garden plot that hadn't been cultivated in over eight years. Despite its long neglect, the soil remained healthy, enriched periodically with composted manure, making it an ideal space for planting.

With rich, prepped soil, all we needed were seeds to start our new gardening adventure. We’ve even begun germinating some seeds indoors. The spring weather has been unusually cool, leading us to delay some plantings until late June to avoid frost.

We were fortunate to discover that spinach and lettuce had self-seeded from the previous season, providing fresh salads early in spring. We also found patches of walking onions thriving, which has added greatly to our meals.

The Creative Side of Gardening

Our love for flowers extends to our garden as well. They not only beautify the space but also attract beneficial insects like pollinators and ladybugs, who help control harmful pests. Gardening is about creating balance and understanding how different plants can support one another. Each day, I eagerly search for flower buds ready to bloom. We bought several marigold plants, which have become the first splash of color amidst the greenery.

One of our nasturtiums has finally bloomed, and I am thrilled. Soon, our garden will be a colorful display, as we’ve also sown marigold seeds, which are sprouting but yet to flower. Chris planted lupins as borders, while I have created a wall of sunflowers at the garden's back, which will add to the visual appeal.

A cherished feature in our garden is a bird and bee bath. I repurposed a metal bowl designed to look like a mushroom cap, placing it on a rotting stump we found in the forest. I love the mushrooms growing from it, and I keep the bowl filled with water, providing hydration for wildlife. This effort encourages beneficial insects to frequent our garden, enhancing its health and productivity.

We’ve added mulch and tree branches around the garden's edges to enhance its aesthetic charm. An archway at the entrance is being nurtured with pole beans, squash, and watermelon. I can only imagine how stunning it will look once everything is fully grown!

Mulch is essential for maintaining soil moisture. Keeping roots cool and damp is crucial, especially as the summer heat approaches. We primarily rely on rainwater collected in large tanks to irrigate our garden.

Gratitude for This Opportunity

It’s evident how grateful we are to have this abundance of food and beauty right outside our door. Focusing on this project has been a wonderful diversion, not only easing our grocery expenses but also enriching our minds and bodies with wholesome food and the pleasure of creating a lovely garden. While we still miss our old garden, it’s comforting to know we have a new one to cherish.

A heartfelt thank you to Dennett and Louise Peacock at Weeds & Wildflowers for the prompt: “Gathering Gratitude” — especially regarding what nature provides, supported by gardeners and farmers. This theme resonates deeply with me at this moment.

To follow my gardening journey, please stay tuned for updates as summer unfolds. I’m excited to share more flower images and the progress of our arch as it fills in!