A Garden of Their Own

story and photos by Rebecca Zarazan Dunn

I cannot say exactly how nature exerts its calming and organizing effects on our brains, but I have seen in my patients the restorative and healing powers of nature and gardens, even for those who are deeply disabled neurologically. In many cases, gardens and nature are more powerful than any medication. – Oliver Sacks

“But we need to make a bouquet! Really quick! It will only take a minute!” pleaded my oldest countless times before lunch last summer upon calling them indoors to eat. They’d run to their own little gardens and pick yellow firework heads of dill flowers and breezy, cupcake-liner-looking cosmos for a proper, elegant place setting. I would joke we’ve become so fancy during the pandemic. This was our privilege. Safe and healthy. A fruitful distraction from the world around us. “I’m going to check on my garden” became synonymous with sneaking coveted cherry tomatoes from Mom’s garden.

When we all found ourselves at home last March, I set up a small patch of land in the backyard they could call their own. Using seeds from The Kaw Valley Seed Fair, attended the month prior to the shutdown, and a few varieties from Baker Creek, their inspiration sparked. They carefully planned their gardens with markers and a rainbow collage made from old seed catalogs. It was exciting, and that excitement carried into planting one warm day in early May. What I didn’t expect was the care that went into nurturing their little gardens, and the time spent in them provided a great deal of comfort and hope. As their tending continued and they witnessed the growth, so their pride also grew, and the worry of the outside world fell away. After all, sunflowers are a good shield for monsters and a bright star in a time of grief.

This pandemic has taken its toll on both caregivers and their children. It was a long winter. It has been a long year. If you’re looking for an interruption in these times we find ourselves in, try growing a garden together. Or better yet give them a garden of their very own. Here are some steps on how to get started:

Growing a Garden Of Their Own

1. Seeds - You need seeds. If you order seeds, prepare to wait and opt for purchasing seeds that can be planted later in the spring. The seed industry is trying their best to keep up with the nation’s demand over the last year and the surging, new interest in gardening. My favorite seed vendors to order from are Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, MIGardener, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Botanical Interests, and Renee’s Garden Seeds. I highly recommend shopping local by visiting Cottin’s Hardware or The Merc, both of which carry seeds from Lawrence’s own seed company, Buffalo Seed Company. A FREE option is to select seeds from the Lawrence Public Library’s Seed Library. Some seeds are easier to grow that others, while others take weeks of TLC.

2. Read the Instructions - After you and your young gardener acquire some seeds, read the back of the seed packets aloud together. And then read them again. This will let you know when to plant your seeds. Some seeds need to be planted indoors weeks before our last frost date, and others like to be planted directly outside after. You can find your region’s last frost date on The Farmer’s Almanac website.

3. Make a Plan - Where will the garden grow? How much space do the plants need? How much sunlight? Are you planting a garden in containers or in the ground? You don’t have to spend a lot of money to prepare a place for your garden. Have your young gardener draw out a picture of what they want their garden to look like. This is one part following instructions, one part dreamtime! Garden inspiration can be found in garden books at the library or online. Prepare the container or land where you’re planning to plant. YouTube is a great tool for how to achieve specific goals. The City of Lawrence offers free compost and mulch on Saturdays (there’s a small fee for a truck load or larger). Pots and containers can be found secondhand. Tools can be borrowed or rented from Cottin’s Hardware. A beautiful garden can be made with little expense.

4. Patience - Plant your seeds according to their instructions, water, and wait. Water some more and wait again. Waiting is not easy. Waiting is never easy! At least for me it isn’t, and especially when waiting for plants to grow. But when you finally see the little green sprouts come up from the earth, it’s magic. Encourage your young gardener to do the tending and the watering. They might forget and need to be reminded. They’ll make mistakes. That’s okay. It’s part of the process.

5. Enjoy - There’s a sense of independence and accomplishment that comes with maintaining a little garden. The first flower to bloom is a thrill. The taste of food you grew with your own hands is also a thrill. Additionally, garden treasures become gifts to share. That’s one of the best parts about gardening— the opportunity for sharing. Sharing is a sacrament of gardeners old and new. Curiosity lives in the garden as well. Especially since their colors and scents invite beneficial pollinator friends to feast. Everyone wins.