You can plant it, but God will grow it

Pineapple with Mint Juice

I loved gardening with my dad growing up and dreamed of the day I would have my own garden. When we moved into our first house, one of the first things we built was a raised garden bed. My dad showed me how to make the most of our small backyard. I find gardening so rewarding! Cultivating and caring for plants, whether flowers or vegetables, is such an enjoyable hobby.

Gardening is also a reminder of how God designed nature and how we can cooperate with nature but not control it. The grocery store can fool us into thinking that anything grows anytime, but gardening teaches us to submit to the seasons. Once you plant a seed, it takes time for that seedling to grow into a mature plant that can bear fruit. In a world that often promises us that we can have whatever we want whenever we want, gardening is a reminder that we can’t control everything and that good things are worth waiting for.

If you need some encouragement to start your own garden, here is some advice:

1.     You don’t need a large area to start growing your own veggies! You can grow most things in a pot on your balcony or in a small, raised bed in the backyard.

2.     Do a little bit of research to select plants that are suitable for your climate and the amount of sunlight that will be available.

3.     Take the time to prepare the soil well. I like to add some cow manure and new fertile garden soil to my raised bed every year. If you compost, adding that to your soil is also super helpful.

4.     Make sure your plants have sufficient water. Watering in the morning or the evening is often best since you can avoid excessive evaporation.

While my garden is far from picturesque, it provides my family with lots of fresh fruits and veggies all summer long. This year I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, oregano, thyme, chives, parsley, basil, dill, cilantro, rosemary, and mint. I also added a small, elevated garden bed for lettuce. Look at the head of lettuce I picked over the weekend! It made a delicious salad and took very little effort to grow.

I also picked some fresh mint to make this delicious pineapple mint juice that I love to drink when I’m in Brazil.

Pineapple with Mint Juice

·       1 ripe pineapple, cored and sliced into chunks

·       10-12 fresh mint leaves

·       2 tablespoons sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of the pineapple

·       1½ cups water

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve over ice. Enjoy!

Remember, gardening is not about just growing plants; it’s a great way to relax, connect with nature, and experience God’s perfect design. Happy gardening!