Most often, playing in the dirt is the only thing that still makes sense.

I planted both spearimint and peppermint . I rub my arms through it before I begin gardening to keep the misquitos away . And it smells so good . I enjoy a little time outside on the fresh air and a little indirect sunshine . I've been working for years , trying to get the backyard to be a pleasant place to be . I started with flowers , trying to select hardy plants that love the Texas weather , some that couldn't handle the Maryland snows I used to see . Then I began learning about their micro climate preferences . I moved a row of trees , that had been planted too close to the swimming pool . As the trees dropped seeds , and the seedlings started to grow , I encouraged the ones I wanted with fertilizer and watering during the drought periods . When they were big enough , I cut down the ones in front of them . Brought in more durable landscaping materials , just a few at a time , so we ( my paid help and I ) could handle them . I'm making better use of high planters , so I can work on them from my scooter . The plan had always been to plant food plants next to the sun porch , so kept that area free of weed killers and pesticides , but had to put off planting it due to the proximity to the builders . Now I'm beginning to put in food plants . My paid help is beginning to see and understand why I plan for pavers around the planters and has become more enthusiastic , about putting in the heavy bits that make things accessible for me .

I am on here now mostly because I am at work, ...lunch hour, and don't have access to the garden. I agree with the allure of gardening mentioned in the article. Gardening is my exercise, my meditation time, my communing with nature time, an all around de-stresser. Puttering out there is a joy.

I live in a little triplex. The neighbor in the house on the end has planted a little tomato patch and invited the three neighbors here to work in it and share the fruit.

Yeah, I agree with her that the activity itself of gardening is intrinsically more satisfying than sitting in front of a monitor. Though I acknowledge the opportunity to discuss arcane topics with the rare individual who is really interested is an attraction offered by the internet, I also feel that pervasive use of language is part of the problem. Just to notice things and do things without a lot of accompanying narration is part of what I like about gardening. It feels good to let the mind empty out once in a while. But I especially connected with what she called the pervasive retreat of nature and needing to feel a part of that.

It’s my therapy. Just getting my hands in dirt and feet on the ground makes me feel better.