Dig in and grow your inner peace with a garden

 

I love this quote.

 

It captures the essence of what being outside in the garden means to me.

 

A garden provides a place to escape the stress and worries of everyday life to the stillness of nature’s quiet and peace. The repetitive, meditative nature of gardening promotes mindfulness and calm. What satisfaction can be achieved by digging, planting, pruning, watering, and even pulling weeds! We all need solace and simplicity in a world that often feels overwhelming.

 

Spending time in nature heals.

 

Sunlight boosts vitamin D production. Fresh air and physical activity enhance cardiovascular health. Stimulating colors, scents, textures, sounds, and sometimes tastes of a garden provide a wonderful sensory experience.

 

Most of us have some kind of space, no matter how limited, to create a garden. For some, planting containers for a porch or balcony; for others, a raised bed or areas adjacent to a home.

 

Tending a garden can also be a social activity, providing opportunities to share knowledge, build relationships, and foster a sense of belonging. It is gratifying to plant bulbs in the fall, seeds in the spring, or bedding plants year-round and be rewarded with beautiful flowers and foliage.

 

Daniel Island has many beautiful gardens, parks, and trails to visit and awaken the inner gardener in all of us. Take time to explore the landscaping designs and plant combinations that inspire. Spending time visiting a beautiful garden can be as restorative as transforming your own space.

 

Whether you’re taking care of a garden, potted plants, or visiting a park, the act of engaging with nature has transformative power. It reminds us of our connection to something larger than ourselves. When we tend the earth, we ultimately tend to ourselves.

 

Linda McWey Price is a master gardener and retired physician who manages the Osprey Trail, a three-acre garden in front of Daniel Island School, with a team of Daniel Island Garden Club volunteers.