In the past I’ve had huge gardens where I grew enough vegetables to preserve a year’s worth of food for the family. But, currently we rent a house in the suburbs of a small town in the Pacific Northwest, while we sort out where we’d like to buy land and settle. The yard is deeply shaded by those typically huge conifers of the Evergreen State. The only sunny spot in the yard is the deck, which thankfully is quite huge. 
So I’ve created an extensive “container” garden using rolling carts, 5 gallon buckets, and large flower pots. In the past I’ve done similar types of container gardens, even had a small garden on a patio during a short stint in an apartment.
Although we grow all kinds of berries, herbs and vegetables in these container gardens, there is no way I can actually “feed our family” from the produce we harvest. And there certainly isn’t enough food to store anything for the coming winter, or until the next years’ harvest. I’ve also discovered that this smaller version of my huge gardens of the past, is almost the same amount of work—with less reward.
So why do I continue to grow a garden—no matter where we live?
That’s a good question with some interesting answers, so, I decided I’d share my reasons below. Maybe some of them will resonate with you, or even inspire you. Who knows?
REASON #5
Preparing the garden beds, planting, tending, and watering the garden up to harvest time are all actions that get my body moving. This is especially important after a winter of being “not so active” and eases my body into being on the move. At my age I’m always a bit stiff and sore at the beginning of the season, but soon I’m back in shape again. So it’s a great health benefit!
REASON #4
I love spending time out of doors. And gardening is a great excuse for spending hours and hours outside. And because it’s productive time—time that yields some very nice rewards come harvest—there is no need for me to feel guilty about sneaking outside every moment I get.
REASON #3
Gardening keeps me tuned into what is happening in nature outside our walls. I’m more aware of the changing of seasons, the nuances of this new climate we’re living in. It’s far too easy to stay sheltered in our homes (especially after the years of Covid) and miss the happenings of the entire rest of the environment. Gardening also helps me understand what grows well up here in the PNW and what doesn’t. While I work, I take note of what the birds are up to, how their songs change with the time of day, and season, enjoy the antics of the fledglings and baby squirrels, I notice how many bees are enjoying the pollen of flower blossoms. My body and mind begin to meld with nature and be at one with the out of doors.
REASON #2
No matter how small the harvest, nothing can compare with produce that has ripened to perfection on the vine—ready to eat in all its glory. And how wonderful to be able to pick fresh herbs straight from the garden as I need them. And I can grow everything organically … giving me confidence in the quality of the food I’m providing for us to eat.
REASON #1
But the most important point of gardening—to me—is the fact that I don’t ever want to lose my ancestral skills for knowing how to grow our own food. And it is indeed a skill. There is a real learning curve to gardening. Well worth the time and effort. Every year I learn more about this place we now call home. Besides, I’d much rather make my gardening mistakes with a small garden, and better know what to grow (and how) once we have room for a large garden again. And in the meantime, we get to enjoy lots of fresh produce! 
I would love to hear your reasons for gardening!
If you’ve never gardened, did any of my reasons inspire you to give it a try? If so, here are some links for more Gardening Info:
How to Grow Potatoes in a Bucket
Being outside in nature is the most basic part of who I am. Besides gaining knowledge about wildlife, I learn lessons about who I am, and surprise myself about what I am capable of achieving. Nature continually inspires me. It is a part of all my writings, no matter the genre or subject matter. 
It is one way to have tomatoes with flavor! My grandfather was a gardener, my parents gardened, I gardened with my children, and they are now gardeners! So I guess it is a family tradition.
Yes! Even though tomato plants don’t like it much up here where we live — compared to the Midwest — I always have a couple of plants in my garden anyway, just for some vine ripen tomatoes for the summer. I love it that you have generations of gardeners in your family! Thanks, Inge for sharing.
It’s a passion the Editress shares: realizing that life matters whether it flourishes for a season or returns year after year. Its fleeting fragility only heightens the beauty.
What a beautiful and eloquent way to say this! I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Dale. Always a blessing to hear from you!
I agree with all five of your reasons. I start most everything I grow from seeds. In the high country where we live, it gives me hope for spring as I plant inside in March with snow still on the ground. Gardening also gives me a perfect time to reflect on everything from nature to just how great it feels to be outside. The older I get, the more outside time I seem to need. Terrific post!
Thank you for the kind words. That’s so cool that you agree with my reasons AND you are also experiencing that same “tug’ to be out of doors the more years we are on this Earth. A worthy goal, I say!