Oh dear. We slipped up. We almost missed Garden Days 2018. This annual celebration of recognizing the vital role of gardening in our communities and in our lives, opens this Saturday and runs for nine days.
Garden Days was first organized in 2013 by the Canadian Garden Council and kicked off in 2014 with a collection of events across Canada. Our very own Brian Minter, Minter Nurseries, is the provincial spokesperson for this annual event reminding us to connect to the natural world.
Richmond Garden Club lives and breathes the connection to nature and the value it brings to our everyday lives. The excitement of attracting bees, butterflies, ladybugs and many other pollinators to our gardens brings us great joy. Sitting in amongst a plethora of blooms, carefully nurturing all elements that make gardens grow, gives us a sense of peace, harmony and a calming effect.
Surrounded by the fragrance of flowers, touching the soft earth, listening to the sounds of insects and birds busy enjoying our micro community, tasting the warm strawberries freshly picked all contribute to our increased awareness of our connection to nature.
Planning and harvesting our edible gardens gives us a sense of security and pride as we rush just-picked vegetables to the kitchen for our meals. We know that our food is safe because we have not used any chemicals to spur on growth. We know that our food is highly nutritious because we are eating fresh vegetables that have not had to travel to get to our table.
We know that we are contributing to a healthier environment by eliminating contaminates from our environment. Planting and nurturing our urban forests is key to increasing the oxygen levels in our urban habitat. Trees shade our homes in the summer and act as a windbreak in the winter lowering our costs. Trees help moderate our climate, reduce stormwater runoff and offers homes to wildlife. The serenity we feel around trees can reduce stress, fatigue and even decrease time recovering from surgery.
And finally, the joy of sharing the importance of taking care of our environment, giving back to nature who so gracefully gives to us daily, is probably what spurs us on so passionately. Arousing all five senses in children and adults alike is so rewarding and key to encouraging our community to take care of Mother Nature!
So on Saturday, June 16th, get out into your garden, visit us at Paulik Park (25 perennial garden beds maintained by Richmond Garden Club and community volunteers, located at 7600 block Heather Street) while we garden, stroll through a nursery, wander through a forest to celebrate how nature works so hard to take care of us and how hard we work to make sure she can continue to survive.
Lynda Pasacreta is the current president of Richmond Garden Club. For more information on upcoming events and community projects visit richmondgardenclub.ca.
