The Gentle Gardener: Healthy Habits
Today, we're wrapping up our week of gardening tips from George Gibbs. Yesterday we covered composting. Today, we'll help you find your gardening zen.
Tip #4: Care for every element.
“You have to have the right conditions for almost anything.”
That includes measuring soil pH and lead levels, and perhaps using a raised bed. That includes observing your garden’s sun exposure — Gibbs has a northwest-facing space — and working with plants that thrive in your garden’s available sunlight. And that includes having a healthy gardener.
Gibbs recommends the “great, great, great book” Gardener’s Yoga: Bend & Stretch, Dig & Grow by Veronica D’Orazio. He practices the illustrated poses for about an hour every other day, and it stretches every joint.
Just like gardens, every gardener has his or her unique requirements for a healthy life. Gibbs eats organically raised fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. He doesn’t smoke. He doesn’t drink. He rolls with whatever may come.
And on Thursday nights, he contra dances.
Mackenzie Mount is an editorial intern at Sierra. She's cleaned toilets at Yellowstone National Park and studied sustainable cooking at The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts in Austin, Texas.
READ MORE:
The Gentle Gardener: Day 1, Small Pests
The Gentle Gardener: Day 2, Large Pests
The Gentle Gardener: Day 3, Compost!
- image by istockphoto/gmevi
