GARDENING: THE WOES, FOES, AND PROS

THE WOES

Heat

It's a beautiful sunny morning, you see that the birds are chirping, the bees are pollinating, and the sun is rising. All wonderful things, and all things that will benefit your small garden bed. However, what won't benefit it? The heat and humidity.

I live in zone 8a and that it's hot, humid, and brutal for plants. A lot of your herbs and veggies will tell you they require full sun, but a lesson I've learned is if you're in a climate with 100 degree days and 100% humidity, put your plants in an area that will get some shade to allow them not to be baked in the sun all day. This will give your plants some rest and keep them from just trying to survive to thriving!

Water

Watering your plants is a given, they need water to survive, however, did you know there are certain ways to water?

Just as quickly as heal your plants, water can hurt it. You have to know your sweet little plant baby and learn how to care for it well. If you plan to morning water, water very early in the morning, if not the water will begin to boil your roots as the day gets too warm. I heard this old saying, and I'll pass it on to you: "water in the morning to survive, water in the evening to thrive." Do with that what you will!

Along with when to water, you also need to know where to water. Some plants, like tomato plants, like only their roots water and watered deep. Some plants, like pepper, don't mind where or how they get watered, just as long as they do. Depending on each plant you have, do some research and find when and where best to water them, but remember, if this your first time gardening, it's okay to make mistakes and try again tomorrow or next season!

THE FOES

Bugs, bees, and bears (kidding...kinda)! All have purposes, but not all are great for your garden. Look into the pests and animals that are likely to come for your plants in the area you live. For example, I live in Arkansas, so deer and spiders would love to enjoy my harvest before me. Find out the foe and find the solution. To deter deer, I found that complain planting marigolds and rosemary kept them (and misquotes) away. Pests were a little more tricky and took more research on how to handle. I ended up choosing a pesticide to help kill and deter unwanted pests. The one I chose is suppose allow the loving and healthy pests to survive and keep them coming, think bees. You want the bees to visit because that means they're pollinating and your squashes want that!

THE PROS

Not only is gardening genuinely therapeutic, it is also a great way to get fresh produce free of any harmful additives. You'll truly begin to find joy in the small things that come with your garden, a fresh bloom, your first harvest, the aroma of fresh herbs in your yard, and so much more. As you continue to garden you'll grow in experience and your next harvest will be larger and you'll be smarter, it's a win win. Gardening is something that takes perseverance but also something that will leave you feeling accomplished and proud.

Now, how did this grow my faith you might ask? It's something that I truly didn't see coming, but I'm so thankful it was there. As I gardened, I began to see the small miracles God does daily. I saw the bees soaking in the sun in my squash plant, I saw a marigold bloom after a harsh, hot day, I saw life come and go through my garden. It reminded me that through all things God will give and God will take, but most importantly God cares for me and He loves me. He cared enough to create this world and He loved so deeply He sent His son to save me. I pray one day I see God create life through me, through pregnancy and birth, but I'm still grateful I get to see Him create life through the small garden in my yard.

Sarah Beth Holder