Health

from The Upper Westsider, April 2020

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GARDENING FOR FOOD SECURITY - AND STRESS RELIEF By Lee Stewart, Certified Master Another advantage to growing your peace when working in my garden, pleasure of assisting with gardens in Gardener with Veg Up Get Dirty own food is that you don’t have to and avoiding scrolling through all the Montessori schools, private residences worry about entering the current chaos distressing newsfeeds on social media of many kinds, offices, balconies, and

The state of the world quickly and dealing with fights over toilet paper. and broadcast news. Gardening can more. I also offer gardening consultaand dramatically changed with Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have your become a very constructive and useful tions, garden design, custom building COVID-19. It seems just a few own food supply in your own backyard, way to decrease anxiety and grapple of gardens, the servicing of existing weeks ago we were worried about the or on your patio or balcony? Having with our “new normal” in the midst of a gardens, and education. full moon and Friday the 13th being in your own garden is possible, and right pandemic. the same week. Ah, good times. now is a wonderful time to start. I have implemented a gardening coachIf you already have your own garden ing service to teach individuals how to If you have visited a grocery store re- The recent rains have been beneficial ready, there are specific seeds to plant take control of their own gardens. You cently, you have seen firsthand how fear for my own urban farm. The warm in April. Green onions, radishes, car- may wonder how this service works. has gripped our community and how rays of sunshine provide assurance rots and cucumbers should go into First, I come out to the location and rapidly what used to be normal daily that springtime is here and is ready the ground. In addition, cantaloupe, conduct a 90-minute assessment/consullife can now seem frightening and unfa- to provide for our gardens. The mild watermelon, summer squashes, and oth- tation. During this assessment I look at miliar. I have been reminded once again warm temperatures are a wonderful ers can be started as plants. April is also your area to find the best placement of how you always need to be prepared for gift to gardeners! Now is the ideal time harvest time for a lot of your winter your garden, assess for amending needs the unexpected. to prepare your yard, patio or balcony vegetables. It is the month to transplant for your already existing garden, and for your springtime planting. Get your your tomatoes and get herb seeds in or assess possible watering distribution to I have always been a firm believer in space, soil, and irrigation ready to plant plants transplanted. the garden. I will also provide informabeing proactive instead of reactive. Gar- because picking fresh fruits and vegeta- tion and education to help you and your dening and urban farming can be one bles packed with 100 percent nutrients I began Veg Up Get Dirty several years garden become a healthy team. effective way to truly be prepared. You has many benefits. ago as an edible landscape company. I can oversee your food supply and en- am a certified master gardener and men- It will be my absolute pleasure to join sure that you have access to safe food, Gardening also brings healthier eat- tor for the Maricopa Extension Program you on your gardening journey and help and know that in the future you will be ing, encourages exercise, and provides with the University of Arizona. Since you grow your own food. Don’t panic! ready for whatever happens. stress relief. I have found that I can find starting my company, I have had the Go plant something in the dirt!