Wellness Gardens

As we face the pandemic at hand and try to foresee the fragile future, we can look to the past for solace, inspiration and to distract ourselves with new projects.

Spring is upon us, immune to our suffering. Seeds will burst into fragrant and fulsome flowers; vegetables will poke through the ground to remind us that nature is still at work. Which brings us to victory gardens.

Also called war gardens or food gardens for defense these were plots of vegetables, fruits and herbs planted at private residences and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany during World Wars I and II. They were a means of boosting morale for those at home and for supplementing food supplies.

While many of us have developed gardens over the years and look to their bounties for our pleasure, a recent surge in seed sales indicates that more of the population is taking to the soil.

“Gardening is one of the most personal and accessible ways that families can be home and engage in a positive activity together,” says Jo-Anne van den Berg-Ohms, CEO of the Bantam company that includes John Scheepers Garden Seeds, as well as John Scheepers Beauty from Bulbs and Van Engelen Wholesale Flower Bulbs. “We have seen our seed sales double this year.

“The process of planting seeds in and of itself feels redemptive and inspires hope for rebirth and growth,” she continued. “It’s a physical activity and there is something very nice about having a tired body after gardening and being energized at the same time. So many families are home with children for the first time ever at this period of the year. Sowing seeds is an activity that families can embrace with their children. Pressing this tiny seed into the soil and demonstrating what comes from such activity—it’s like magic.”

Sarah Paley Coon, of Paley’s Farm & Garden Center in Sharon, heartily agrees.

“People are definitely looking for seeds, vegetable plants and herbs more than in past years. Many people realize that they are going to have time to spend on their gardens this year unlike in years past. We are selling lots of cool weather veggie starts now—broccoli, beets, peas, Brussels sprouts, cabbages and lettuces.

“Some people say they don’t have a green thumb,” she continued, “but in reality, they just may never have had the time to spend in their gardens to be successful. During the summer months, parents with young children spend a lot of time bringing their kids to different activities and attending sports events that just won’t be happening this year. Most large social gatherings are being postponed or canceled so it leaves more time to tend to gardening. Gardening and other yard work can be very therapeutic and we all need to do things to keep us calm, happy and grounded during this time.”

“In addition to vegetable gardening, I would also suggest planting flowers to enhance your yard and make your time at home more enjoyable,” she suggested. “Or you can do some container gardening. Look for things that will attract bees and hummingbirds which adds to the joys of nature.”

While this pandemic has surely changed our lives, the term victory may have too much war-related history attached to it. And the idea is to bring joy and satisfaction along with healthy gardens.

“We are focusing on the whole wellness garden idea,” says van den Berg-Ohms. “Wellness as opposed to victory because it helps create a feeling of being physically and mentally stimulated while one is in the process of gardening as well as the satisfaction of everything being good in the world. And there is the satisfied and gratified feeling when you harvest and start using the rewards of your labor. Having your children learn how to pluck carrots out of the soil—it’s such a feeling of wellness and that all is right in the world.”

Seeds are generally separated into two categories: those cultivated in advance of growing outside such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers that must be started indoors eight to 10 weeks prior to transplanting outside after the last spring frost; and seeds that can be directly sown into the garden, such as basil, radishes, chives, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, parsley.

And beans! According to van den Berg-Ohms there is an uptick in all kinds of beans.

“Bean seeds can also be sown directly in the ground. There are bush beans and climbing beans and you can create all kinds of fun structures on which the beans can train themselves. Make a teepee out of branches and have a display of flowering beans. People are going crazy buying beans and carrots. And sorts of lettuces can be grown from seeds as well. Nasturtium seeds can also go directly into the ground. They are beautiful as well as tasty with cold, summer soups or salads.”

Freund’s Farm Market & Bakery in East Canaan also offers a multitude of plantings along with their famous cow pots. Owner Theresa Freund keeps her two-story post-and-beam red barn stocked with everything gardeners, whether new to the game or seasoned, could need to create their own vegetable plot.