This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Step One: Begin

I am inspired and empassioned by nature, every day. I appreciate others who feel the same way. I enjoy meeting people who understand this passion on the same, deeply personal level. Most think I am a little nuts; they’re probably right. But gardening IS an adventure to me, nearly every day I learn something new. I find my inner peace, my “happy place,” watching a butterfly dance among the flowers; finding a toad hiding in the moist soil hoping I will dig elsewhere. The wildlife we have visit our yard both amazes and frustrates me, as it readily take advantage of all my gardening efforts.

Om is believed to be the sound of life, present as a vibration in all living beings and in nature. It is also believed that Om was the sound that was produced when this universe was created; the sound that ties everything together. In my garden, what I do impacts everything else in some way. So I tread carefully.

I learned about Suncoast Co-op http://suncoastcoop.com/ in November last year, a group of organic gardeners based in New Port Richey that are bringing organic gardening, healthy food and sustainable living to the community. wow! All that in Florida? Reminds me of California. Within weeks (or perhaps minutes) I decided to expand my home organic garden, despite the challenges: unpredictable weather and parade of garden marauders. I always wanted to grow more food. I know that what works elsewhere doesn’t always work here. This community of gardeners is helping each other, sharing their knowledge and experience, and some of the tastiest foods you can imagine.

Any gardener knows that despite your best efforts, you will either have too much or too little from the garden. Now, IF I am able to grow good food here, it won’t to go to waste if I grow more than two people (plus two dogs, two turtles and one cat) need. I’m learning to grow foods I don’t even know how to cook yet; I’m learning to grow foods I had never heard of before. With one (more or less) successful growing season under my hat, I’m ready for the next with renewed enthusiasm. Yes, the planting season begins in August here.

N. Pinellas YMCA New Community Garden
My yoga instructor at the N. Pinellas YMCA, contacted me when she heard the Y director plans to have a community garden on-site. Of course I volunteered! (I was somewhat disgruntled after seeing more palm trees planted in front of the building. It would have been nice to see a few orange trees and bananas, anything but palm trees.)

After attending a few YMCA Garden Club meetings (with too few volunteers), plans are in place and we will soon “break ground”. We’re totally counting on the Field of Dreams effect; if we build it, they will come. Plans include raised garden beds and containers, a rain barrel, a butterfly garden, a children’s garden and opportunities for people to learn how to grow their own food organically. We hope to add artistic touches, some from the children themselves, to enhance the visual impact. Anyone interested is welcome, you don’t have to be a YMCA member.

So now you know a little about me. This blog will document the YMCA community garden’s progress and any gardening breakthroughs that I find truly exciting (I hope you will too). I’ll figure out how to load pictures :) and invite you to join our effort to learn and teach sustainable gardening techniques to anyone who is interested, and of course enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of our labors. The North Pinellas YMCA is located on Village Center Drive in Palm Harbor. The next garden meeting is August 21, 7pm, and the Garden Club plans to meet every 4th Wednesday at 7pm thereafter.

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