Finding Solace in Home Gardening
I can’t believe we’re already in the last quarter of 2021. Although things are starting to look up, it’s still a little hard for me to feel like I have a grip on my life. Even though the pandemic had its fair share of life-changing and happy moments for me, it also had some really low lows that made me greatly appreciate the extremely high highs. With the extra time I had on my hands, I figured it was time to find a hobby.
Like most people, I got into houseplants and gardening during the first lockdown. Believe it or not, I was one of those crazy people trying to track down a Variegated String of Hearts to no avail! I also purchased starter plants for herbs and vegetables I used daily such as basil, lettuce, and okra. I was so excited and went all-in to my newest obsession.
However, this first instance of being a plant parent didn’t last long. Maybe about 3 months later, I found out my dog was allergic to one of my newest plants. He was in and out of the pet hospital for a week. This was not long after my dog just went through a major surgery where he could have almost died. The only thing I had going for me at that time was being a new plant parent and having more time to spend with my dog. I gave away all of my plants and supplies while in a total panic.
Fast forward to the summer of 2021, I moved into a larger apartment with lots of space for decorating. I remembered how happy I was caring for plants and decided it was time to give it another go. Not only is gardening a healthy hobby, but it is also a fun way to decorate. It’s said that humans can see more shades of green than any other color, so bringing greenery into a home is not only pleasing to the eye but also good for our brains!
During my trek to find houseplants and other accessories, I came across Simply Garden, a home-gardening centric popup of Simply Organized, in Kahala Mall. I went to a few other local stores for some of my houseplants, but what I love about Simply Garden are their kits and seeds which are perfect for beginners. They also have the cutest watering can and sprayer I’ve ever seen!
I failed MISERABLY the last time I tried to grow anything edible. My herbs looked like they got run over and my lettuce shriveled and wilted. After talking to some people that have their own gardens, many of them told me that seeds are better. I live in an apartment so having seeds and little planters come in a set is super convenient! Both of these came with their own soil, but I added my own soil additions to hopefully help my little plants thrive.
Here’s how they’re doing so far! Seeing their little sprouts make me so happy.
Have you ever started a windowsill or apartment garden? If you have, what’s your favorite herb or vegetable in your garden? If you haven’t, what would you grow in your garden if you could?
