Gardening Provides a Break from COVID Fatigue

There is an ongoing debate as to whether gardening contributes to food security and the financial implications. If it is really cheaper to just buy food at grocery stores then why do so many people still bother to grow it. It turns out there is a lot more to the upswing in gardening than just economics. Cathy Carlino from the Schreiber Senior Centre and Terry Thompson are fairly new to gardening but have recently realized some of the benefits of growing food in their backyards. The pair decided it would be a good idea to talk with others about their passion and contacted Kim Krause from the Schreiber Media Centre to record the days events. 

First stop was the home of Rosa and Cos Diano, where a surprise was waiting in the backyard. The couple has built an oasis in the form of an outdoor kitchen, dining area and more in order to complement their love of gardening. Living outside in the summer months and feasting on the fruits of their labour can be seen as a healthy alternative to the urban struggles that most people feel. The health benefits from the physical activity can not be denied and for seniors facing long winters, the temporary escape can have obvious mental benefits as well. 

The next stop on the tour was the Commisso family home. Nick and Rosetta have a shared passion for growing that can be traced back to their family roots. Many immigrants from Italy brought the tradition of gardening with them from the old country. That way of life still makes up a large part of the identity of many families in Schreiber. Nick seems to think that the tradition is slowly dying as young people do not seem as interested in gardening. He also is aware that most food items he grows can be purchased in stores, often cheaper, but the sense of accomplishment and pride drives him to continue with his family garden.

Cathy and Terry made a quick stop at each others home just for a comparison and to share some secrets and experiences that gardening brings them. The final stop in the tour would be the Little Sprouts Community Garden. This beautiful zen like environment was started nearly two decades ago through grants and hard work and is still maintained and administered by the Schreiber Public Library. Unfortunately due to vandalism over the years the decision was made to make the space a members only facility. This year revealed a much improved community garden that the citizens of Schreiber can take pride in knowing that it was the work of local residents that keeps this all possible.

While food security is always mentioned in tandem with gardening, for many people that is not the main concern. Often it is actually cheaper to just buy food in a grocery store regardless of where it might be coming from. However many people prefer to know where their food actually comes from and when you physically pick something from the ground that you have nurtured there is a more direct connection between us and the foods we eat. Terry Thompson points out that the certainty of knowing that the plants you grew have not been subjected to modifications or poisons is a health choice for many people concerned with food safety.