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Healthy Choices
Seasonal Senses By amelia kirkland
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pringtime can be the best of times and the worst of times. Warming temps and blossoming trees give us a sense of growth and renewal, but springtime can also bring about trepidation and dread in some people. While we love the idea of spending more time outdoors in fewer layers of clothing, we might ask ourselves, “How am I going to look in shorts after hiding behind jeans and leggings all winter?” or “Will I be able to take long walks through Weymouth without ending up a sneezing, watery, itchy mess?” We are here to unpack these conundrums with useful tips on how to make the most of springtime while mitigating some of its pitfalls. When the weather turns warm, people want to get outside. Stay-at-home orders in 2020 brought about many more home gardeners. I am in great hopes that this trend continues into 2021. When done responsibly, gardening is great for the soil and environment, but it is also great for you. It provides physical exercise, mental challenges and a healthy dose of vitamin D.
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One thing to remember when gardening, or engaging in any outdoor activity, is to remember your sunscreen. CDC statistics show North Carolinians to be at moderate risk for skin cancers. In 2017, 25.5 new cases of melanoma were reported per 100,000 people in our state. Late spring/early summer planting is exciting. We really get into the “meat” of summer fruits and veggies around this time. Some favorite crops to grow during this timeframe are tomatoes, eggplant, peppers of all kinds, zucchini and yellow squash, and even celery. These are what we think of on a blue plate special in the South—you know, those plates that are filled with summer veggies that your Grandma grew. We are between planting zones 7 and 8, so we can use the planting guide from either of these zones, allowing for plenty of yummy things to grow! Even if you’re not so much of a gardener, you can still reap the benefits of fresh, locally grown produce by visiting the farmer’s market or subscribing to Sandhills Farm 2 Table. Mandy Davis, director of Sandhills Farm 2 Table,
