Gardening is special. It provides us with fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. It gets us in touch with nature. From an indoor garden to a potted plant to a giant raised bed, it can happen almost anywhere. It allows us to see how our time and dedication lead to growth right before our eyes.
But what if gardening is even more? What if it allows us to connect to our past and ensures our past remains with us in the future? What if favorite dishes, traditions and seeds could be shared through gardening? What if gardens helped us bond with family and friends and the community?
Gardening is more to Sweta, our senior manager of omnichannel marketing. Both of her parents come from families of farmers. When they moved to the U.S., creating a garden in the backyard was a top priority. Sweta learned how to take care of the garden as a child, making sure the plants were watered every day. That part was cool, but the best thing about gardening was the harvest. The freshness of the veggies and herbs was so much better than store-bought.
Now, Sweta has brought the gardening tradition to her own family. She’s able to get some time alone in the garden, and sometimes the kids help too. Their favorites are undoubtedly the fresh-off-the-vine cherry tomatoes that are so sweet. And when the fenugreek leaves are ready, everyone loves the earthiness they add to mom’s fritters.
The tradition extends beyond Sweta’s immediate family. Every spring and summer, her family garden group chat is filled with plant photos, questions, advice and more. Sweta’s uncle, in particular, has an impressive collection of plant varieties that he grows, including ginger. He lives nearby, so he can stop by to help or even provide seeds that he has produced from his garden.
As we approach the new gardening season, Sweta’s hope is that gardening can be a way for people to connect with their own families, their cultures and other cultures. For example, if there’s a type of cuisine that people enjoy, take a shot at growing some of the ingredients in their gardens and make some of the dishes at home. As Sweta’s family can attest, the freshness of homegrown vegetables and herbs is unmatched.
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