Are you a "Resilient Gardener"?

I have been reading Carol Deppe’s book, “The Resilient Gardener, Food Production and Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times”. She brings out the reality of the garden – “My Garden needed to be designed around the reality that life has its ups and downs.” Don’t we all associate with this? A sick family member, a troubled friend, a sore back – all factors that affect our ability to garden. Unemployment, GMO’s, limited local food supply – all factors that make it necessary to have a garden. So how do we find that sweet spot, a productive garden that allows us to have a life?

For some that might mean a local CSA or organic farm market. Many are not physically able to garden as they did in younger years. CSA’s not only provide a source of fresh food, but support local farming – a valuable asset.

Others might look at different styles of gardening – raised beds vs. neatly spaced rows every 3′, companion planting vs. monoculture, customized tools to assist with the backbreaking chores, and the list goes on.

While these are all great options there must be a change in how we view the garden. The garden does not have to replicate perfection, perfectly raked out beds with evenly spaced plants that are perfectly staked. We need to reduce our stress about the perfect garden and realize just like people, plants are living things and not always perfect – so why are we fighting it? While these are all great options there must be a change in how we view the garden. The garden does not have to replicate perfection, perfectly raked out beds with evenly spaced plants that are perfectly staked. We need to reduce our stress about the perfect garden and realize just like people, plants are living things and not always perfect – so why are we fighting it?