Gardening for Fun, Not for Profit
Gardening isn’t about perfection—it’s about joy on the return. I don’t consider myself a “Gardener” with a capital G. I just garden. And that distinction matters. This isn’t a blog about winning flower contests or mastering Latin plant names. It’s about getting your hands dirty, enjoying the sunshine, and maybe smiling when your first cucumber shows up or that first flower blooms.
The most important thing to remember is that gardening is supposed to be fun, not stressful. It’s something you do to relax, not to earn a profit. Sure, you’ll get some fresh veggies or flowers along the way, and yes some of them will get eaten by an animal, but the real reward is the experience itself. Taking the time for yourself and watching something grow because of your care is a uniquely satisfying feeling. So remember, time is not the enemy, it’s the purpose.
Dealing with Pests (and Expectations)
Let’s talk reality for a minute: deer and rabbits will eat some of the things you grow. Don’t get too upset. (Well, okay, go ahead and get a little upset.) But try not to let it ruin the experience. Stay with “deer & rabbit resistant” plants, they’ll eat them anyway if they’re really hungry, but don’t set yourself up to see a snipped bud. You can spray smelly repellents and plant things they just don’t like, those are about your best choices. Tall almost invisible fences are pretty easy to put up, but unless you’re doing a veggie garden or your flower garden is in one specific spot it’s a lot of fences, and it ruins the view.
I Garden, I’m Not a Gardener
As a said earlier, I garden. I’m not a gardener. There’s a big difference. I won’t be giving you scientific formulas for bug repellents. I won’t tell you how to propagate your own exclusive flower variety or how to impress the local garden club. That’s not the point here.
What I will talk about is the feel-good side of gardening – from the clearing a piece of land for the garden, to the weeding, all the way up to the part to where you step back, look at something you cared for and grew, feeling the rush of accomplishment at each step. That’s what this blog section is about: the feel good creating, the therapy in tending, the fun of eating the season’s first veggie or the moment you fill a vase with your own personally grown flowers and think, "Hey, I did that."
Embracing the Seasons
Gardening is seasonal in most places, and that’s a good thing. In the northern states, winter gives you a break from the weeding. You’ll be busy enough shoveling snow anyway. But don’t overlook indoor or balcony gardens - they offer year-round opportunities to nurture, grow, and enjoy nature at work.
Even a small container garden on a windowsill or a plant table next to glass window can bring joy in the dead of winter. You’re not limited by climate if you’re creative. There are hydroponic systems (no dirt needed!) and other indoor growing methods. But that’s a topic for another day.
The Art of Weeding
Weeding often gets a bad rap. People call it the bane of gardening. But I think of it as the beginning of the final result. Here’s my biggest piece of advice: don’t look too far ahead. Just focus on the couple of feet in front of you.
Looking up makes the task feel overwhelming. Looking down makes it manageable. Stop before you hit the woods, your neighbor’s property, or most importantly, the road or the sidewalk. When you’re done and you look back at what you’ve accomplished, I promise you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment (and relief…).
The Right Tools Make a Difference
Using the proper gardening tools isn’t just helpful - it’s essential. The right tools make the whole process easier and help prevent damage to both your plants and your body.
Sharp pruning shears make clean cuts, which help plants heal faster. A sturdy shovel saves your back. A good pair of gloves keeps your hands safe and clean. Rubber gloves underneath them keep your fingernails clean. Using the wrong tool—like a kitchen knife instead of a trowel can cut your hand and also hurt your plants.
For older gardeners especially, the right tools reduce strain and make gardening more enjoyable. Take care of your tools, too. Clean the mud off your clippers before you put them away. A little maintenance goes a long way in extending their lifespan.
There are good starter gardening sets that have the tools shown below. Check it out at - https://www.onetify.com/products/portable-garden-tools-set-9-pack-trowel-cultivator-hand-rake-pvc-handle-metal-head?_pos=15&_sid=09026bb8d&_ss=r, it has pretty much every thing you need for weeding, planting and caring for your the fruits of your labor.
Physical and Mental Benefits
Gardening isn’t just a hobby—it’s a form of self-care. Physically, it’s a moderate-intensity exercise that involves digging, planting, weeding, and watering. These activities improve strength, flexibility, and endurance. Plus, being outdoors gives you a healthy dose of sunlight, which helps boost your vitamin D levels.
Mentally, gardening is a proven stress reliever. The act of tending to plants is meditative. It helps clear the mind, improve focus, and increase feelings of well-being. Connecting with nature, even in your backyard or balcony - can ground you in the moment and lift your mood.
There’s also something to be said for the tangible rewards. Growing your own food or flowers gives you a real, visible result. That sense of accomplishment is powerful.
Start Small and Grow
If you’re new to gardening, start small. Don’t feel like you need to landscape your entire backyard. A few pots of herbs here, a couple of flowers there, a tomato plant or even some lettuce in a container can be the perfect way to begin. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand.
Remember, this is your garden. Make it work for you. Whether it’s a wild mess of color or a neatly ordered vegetable patch, the only rule is to enjoy it.
Final Thoughts
So find a piece of land with dirt on it (perhaps under the overgrown weeds - or find a place where you can put dirt, and get started. You won’t be sorry. Gardening is one of the few activities that feeds your body, soothes your mind, and lifts your spirit all at once.
And if you want to get fancy later with hydroponics or composting or companion planting, go for it. But for now, just enjoy the simple magic of planting something, tending to it, watching it grow, and enjoying the “fruits of your labor”.