Plant a Garden, Save the Planet

During WWI and WWII, people were encouraged to plant gardens to supplement their food rations. While the bulk of the plantings were vegetables, fruit and herbs, the gardens also included flowers to attract birds, which eat pests, and bees and butterflies, to do the pollinating work. The gardens came to represent so much more than food. They instilled national pride. They boosted morale. They nourished the senses and souls as well as the bodies of our nation. They came to be known as Victory Gardens.

We are now fighting for the health of our planet, battling an epidemic mental health crisis and trying to close the ranks around food insecurity.

So, plant a garden! It will feed you, your soul and your senses. Just think what might happen if everyone planted one.

If you have a sunny balcony, rooftop, or just a front stoop, you have room for a herb garden. The herbs will not only flavor your food, their flowers will attract and provide nectar for the bees and butterflies we so desperately need to do the important work of pollinating our plants and flowers. For fun, add some edible flowers like pansies and johnny jump-ups for constant color.

If you have room for an extra pot, consider planting milkweed. Milkweed is the only plant upon which female monarch butterflies will lay their eggs, the foliage provides food for the caterpillar, and the flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.

If you have a sunny backyard, consider trying your hand growing a few vegetables like tomatoes, spring onions and a lettuce or two. Then think about adding some additional pollinators like coneflowers, bee balm, goldenrod and asters to complement your milkweed. Think of all the plastic you will be avoiding by growing your own produce!

Additionally, herbs like chives and sage will overwinter, as will milkweed and the other perennial pollinators, so they are virtually the gift that keeps on giving. And next spring you can root soft herb cuttings in water in advance of planting

If you can’t plant a garden, support a garden. Community Gardens throughout Chicago are open to individuals and groups looking to volunteer their time. Farmer’s markets across Chicago are open, and more will be opening in June and July. Produce from these markets are pesticide-free, nutrient rich, fresh and local. 

As Audrey Hepburn said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” We all need to believe in tomorrow.