For the first time ever, I have noticed a subtle but definite shift in my life, but it wasn't really something I expected to happen so soon. As much as I admire those who are frugal, and even self sufficient, this wasn't my main motivation for growing our own fruit and vegetables.
I did believe there is nothing better or more nutritious than fresh food, locally grown whenever possible, and the best way to do this was to grow our own.
But gradually I have realised that I am saving a significant amount of money when I shop every week. As an added bonus, I am also saving time.
Three years ago we started with the fresh eggs, from the chooks ...
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and we planted a lot of fruit and nut trees. Some of them failed, but most survived, and the first to fruit were the beautiful and hardy mulberry trees. Since then we have planted creepers and berries, and grapes.
When we started the vegetable garden, I made a lot of mistakes (and no doubt always will continue to make them!). I came to the realisation that as much as I love reading gardening books, I don't learn well from written instructions. The solution was to spend time with an old gardener friend who provided more wisdom and practical advice as we planted, than I had ever learnt before!
A long time ago, I would have paid for bunches of flowers to enjoy their colour and fragrance indoors, but now I can finally pick my own. We have honey from the beehives and fresh herbs to pick every day.
With every success, my confidence grows. I have learnt the hard way to listen to wiser and older people in the area who know the seasonal changes and the patterns of nature better than I do. Their advice about when to plant and where has always been valuable, and yet sometimes mistakes are the best teacher of all.
The garden has taught me that although it is a lot of hard work, it is something that will repay us many times over. It is the unexpected sights and sounds that I enjoy the most - listening to the birds, seeing a chain of butterflies or discovering a new flower ... this is also something of value.
But above all, the garden has given me the determination to learn new (old) skills that may lead to greater self sufficiency and independence. It's teaching me that every little thing I do can make a difference, and by focusing on things one step at a time, the benefits will continue to blossom.
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I did believe there is nothing better or more nutritious than fresh food, locally grown whenever possible, and the best way to do this was to grow our own.
But gradually I have realised that I am saving a significant amount of money when I shop every week. As an added bonus, I am also saving time.
Three years ago we started with the fresh eggs, from the chooks ...
and we planted a lot of fruit and nut trees. Some of them failed, but most survived, and the first to fruit were the beautiful and hardy mulberry trees. Since then we have planted creepers and berries, and grapes.
When we started the vegetable garden, I made a lot of mistakes (and no doubt always will continue to make them!). I came to the realisation that as much as I love reading gardening books, I don't learn well from written instructions. The solution was to spend time with an old gardener friend who provided more wisdom and practical advice as we planted, than I had ever learnt before!
A long time ago, I would have paid for bunches of flowers to enjoy their colour and fragrance indoors, but now I can finally pick my own. We have honey from the beehives and fresh herbs to pick every day.
With every success, my confidence grows. I have learnt the hard way to listen to wiser and older people in the area who know the seasonal changes and the patterns of nature better than I do. Their advice about when to plant and where has always been valuable, and yet sometimes mistakes are the best teacher of all.
The garden has taught me that although it is a lot of hard work, it is something that will repay us many times over. It is the unexpected sights and sounds that I enjoy the most - listening to the birds, seeing a chain of butterflies or discovering a new flower ... this is also something of value.
But above all, the garden has given me the determination to learn new (old) skills that may lead to greater self sufficiency and independence. It's teaching me that every little thing I do can make a difference, and by focusing on things one step at a time, the benefits will continue to blossom.
