Have you ever planted a garden? If so, you have experienced the true excitement of witnessing the miraculous growth of a once tiny seedling. Our family planted peas, peppers, onions, pumpkins, watermelon, carrots, cucumbers, and garlic. And it has been quite the adventure observing the "fruit" of our labors in watering and caring for this young garden.No matter where you live, it is a perfect time to begin learning how to grow your own food. Never has self-reliance been more of a focus than it is now with the ability to care for yourselves and loved ones in the times we now live. One of the best ways we can do this is by following the prophet's counsel: to plant a garden. Also, the revelation given to Joseph Smith to live the Word of Wisdom.
Each intricate growth of the seeds we have planted is truly a manifestation of the precision and detail and unseen benefits of the fruits and vegetables God has created for the functioning of our bodies. It may sound over the top, but can man create something as nutritionally valuable as our Heavenly Father can? I would hope you know the answer.
Our family does many things to care for our garden: we sing to the garden, water the garden, pull weeds from the garden, protect the garden (from Gentry, our 2 1/2 year old), and we pray for our garden. The boys have even cried for our garden when they thought a pumpkin plant wouldn't make it. But with prayer, it pulled through!!
Find the time where you live that is right to plant a garden, and just jump into it. I put it off so long because I now live in the desert. But obviously it can be done. And it will bring much more than just food to the table. It will bring smiles, hard work, focus, sacrifice, and nutrition.
