Garden Locally and Globally
Contributed by Sammy Taylor
It’s that time again! Pussy willows are popping, tree buds are swelling, and gardeners can’t wait to get out there. As we think, plan, and work toward our growing season, I hope we all think both locally and globally.
We should buy our plants locally if we don’t grow our own. Locally grown plants are adapted to our environment, and they don’t import pests and diseases from outside. We have some wonderful local nurseries and garden clubs that provide opportunities to purchase plants while supporting our local economy.
Valley Garden Club hosts its annual spring sale at the Boys and Girls Club and pays rent there to help support the club’s work with kids. Meadow Lakes Bloomers Club (sale at the Mead- ow Lakes Center on Parks and Pittman) uses money raised by their sale to support the gardens of several local schools. Meadow Lakes Elementary, Houston High School, and Midnight Sun, American, and Birch Tree Charter Schools all benefit from Bloomers’ support. Both of these sales happen on Memorial Day weekend. Meadow Lakes Bloomers also hosts a fall sale of perennials—this year’s sale is scheduled for September 6.
We also need to think globally as we purchase pesticides and other chemicals. Like everything else on Earth, what’s used in one location has ramifications for our atmosphere and water globally. We must remember that we are all related.
So besides thinking of the personal benefits to us of gardening, buying locally and being mindful of our outsized influence on everything and everyone can help us heal, rather than harm, our home planet. Happy gardening!