Work Out In The Yard

Last year I posted a piece entitled “Farm Fitness.” In short, I wrote about how breaking ground for a garden made for a good workout. Many fitness advocates advocate working in the yard with flowers, a garden and the like as a good means of physical activity. Generally, I agree. You sense the hedge I’m sure. Active and physical activity can be two very different things.

This year I expanded our garden, which entailed increased labor in the beginning and for maintenance through the growing season.  However, I got a little carried away with the urban garden thing.  Last December Shannan and I visited ECHO garden in Southwest Florida. While there we learned about the wick garden. This allows you to grow plants without soil.

Yep, I had the same response, “I’ve got to give this a try!” So I did using carpet a medium for the roots of a cucumber plant to spread. It did okay. I also repurposed a toilet and grew peppers and basil.  Though we added a bit of fun to growing and eating vegetables, these methods of gardening didn’t take much energy to start or maintain. That’s just me being silly to say that working with plants doesn’t always lead to burning calories. Nonetheless, I, too, am a strong advocate of working in the yard with plants and vegetables.

Grow things for food and aesthetics. Exercise the old fashion way. Run.

Tom