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Life is a New York garden. There is constant change in the form of seasons, destructive attacks from pestilence, drought and of course exceedingly successful bounties.
Like the seemingly fragile but smart plants that grow in Zone 7 we humans harden and adapt to our ever changing sometimes new surroundings and find balance. Like seeds sown in winter we are sitting idly until it is safe to come out.
We are those seeds now.
That’s good news because just like seasons, change will come. Eventually the warmth we need to come alive again will be back and we shall thrive. We New Yorkers have the will!
In general, there are just too many ways we can be dragged down that exists already. How many sources of negativity are we exposed to just by scrolling through our social feeds and reading a scared mad persons post? How about the workplace?
Right now, it’s either feast or famine. Some of us are now starving due to job losses while others have more on their plate than can fit in the stomach. What about money? Greed is the ultimate distraction from happiness.
It can control our every move.
More now than ever do we need peace, focus and sustainability. We are faced with the fear of a new contagion attacking our very own gardens of life. We worry for our own personal health and the health of the vulnerable.
We worry if we will have enough essentials to get us through if we are unable to leave our homes. That is understandable and it’s ok to feel this way. All living things on planet Earth react, but remember we must keep our wits.
There’s a place I go to remind me of life’s simple pleasure and that grounds me. A setting with the power to make all the negativity go away for a realistic moment.
A spot that is a source of temporary calmness because it allows me to not only escape but even cultivate my own sustenance. It is my own suburban backyard and a source of reprieve from what ails me.
I practice what I call every day or backyard husbandry. Husbandry is a fancy word for the caring and cultivating of plants and farm animals and the meaning will lead you to visions of large-scale agriculture.
Take a step back for realistic reasons. The purpose of this article is not to encourage you to raise a herd cattle in suburbia.
My mission is to get you in the dirt and to be one with the bit of personal natural paradise in your own backyard. Where I believe we have the sovereign right to produce our own food responsibly and reasonably.
You can practice everyday husbandry as much or as little as you like. Plant an organic vegetable and herb garden at or raise a flock of backyard chickens for a constant supply of fresh eggs.
Backyard husbandry will give you the ability to unplug and completely forget for a moment, stressful and worrisome thoughts that pour into our heads.
Where do we start? Begin with the basics. Whether you are planting in the ground or a pot here are some fundamental tips. My experience in gardening began as a child helping my mother in the garden.
I do not consider myself a master, but I have had plenty of time to learn what works and what doesn’t. To be honest mostly what doesn’t. That goes for life as well.
Before you dig in I want you to remember this advice which I live by in life and the garden.
- Trying something new or disrupting a habit is all about trial and error.
- The more you experiment the more you will learn so don’t confine yourself into status quo box.
- It’s ok if you mess up. No one is perfect and no one ever will be.
Follow my lead to begin your therapeutic backyard experience:
- The key to growth is a strong foundation. Make sure your soil is healthy. If it’s composed mostly of clay or sand, then mix in pure compost. It doesn’t hurt to test the nutrients using a soil test kit to make sure it has what the nutrients the plants want.
- Not every member of the garden is compatible. Some plants are friends while some are not. We call that companion planting. I’ve experimented with companion planting quite a bit. Lucky for you I’ve already done the work by creating a companion planting chart for you below.
Companion planting chart:
3. Arm yourself with the tools you need to be successful. Garden tool sets are aplenty and easy to find. Get yourself a hand shovel or two, some gardening shoes and a hat for sun protection. Need seeds? Go to a local seed bank like Good Ground Seed Library or reach out to the passionate members of the Facebook Group Long Island Homesteading Forum
4. Start with a clean slate. Build raised beds filled using untreated wood at least 10” deep and fill with a mix of topsoil and compost. I get my top soil at The Barn Pet Feed & Supplies in Deer Park each Spring. The prices are fair, they deliver and it’s a local family owned business. They also have a great selection of seeds to choose from as well and many other surprises.
5. Make life easy by going mobile. A potted garden is more manageable and a great alternative if you don’t have enough space or time.
6. Stay hydrated and healthy. Water plants at the base not from above to prevent the spread of disease.
7. Keep things secure. You will be so great at growing that your plants will grow big and tall. Make sure they have stakes or cages to keep them stable and off the ground.
If you are just starting and feeling inspired the next questions are most likely going to be what can I plant and when can I plant? Since we are still in frost territory you can sow seeds in the ground for leafy greens like fast and easy to grow arugula or spinach, kale and potatoes. Potatoes are super easy to grow if you use seed potatoes which I usually find online or at your local Lowe’s.
If you are looking to plant flowers, then give your local nursery or farm a call and they will be happy to help you. I recommend Thera Farms in Brentwood. Owner and farmer Teddy has a large selection of beautiful flora.
If you have questions about choosing what to grow or need garden shopping advice you can always reach out to me at matthew@lifeisland.co any time. I love to hear from readers.
What unusual times we are living in our gardens of life. We must adjust and find ways to keep growing and stay healthy while we wait for the seasons to change to something and they will, I promise. When they do be sure to appreciate how the sun feels warmer and how much bluer the sky seems. Stay calm, practice necessary precautions to stay healthy, focus on facts and be well.
