The Rochford Garden

The Rochford's garden in Strathmore.

Why growing your own vegetable garden?
 
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t involved in gardening of some sort. From my earliest years my parents and grandparents passed on their knowledge and love for toiling in the soil, always including my siblings and I in gardening. I try to keep that spirit alive with my own children, as they help me to plant, tend, water, weed and harvest. There’s such satisfaction in seeing tiny seeds grow to huge plants that bear much fruit. What’s more, one feels such delight and gratitude when eating one's own preserved produce throughout the cold winter months, while dreaming of next year’s gardens.
 
Any lessons learned?
 
My most memorable fails: For the life of me I can’t seem to grow a cucumber here in Alberta, no matter what I try; and one year gophers ate my garlic bulbs underground! I went to harvest my garlic and found that there were only greenish stalks with nibble marks at the ends where the bulbs should have been. Since then I’ve found that companion planting has really helped my gardens by attracting beneficial insects and repelling pests, all while adding interest and colour to the garden plot. 

Any encouragement for those contemplating a vegetable garden?
 
My advice for first time gardeners is that they should not let the perfect stop them from doing the good.  I think this is something that applies to many areas of life, even the spiritual life. It is easy to feel intimidated by beautifully manicured gardens when setting out a small backyard or patio garden that seems inadequate, but there is so much reward and joy in being close to nature through vegetable gardening. It is easy to start small - perhaps with a little lettuce planted in containers - and gain confidence through small successes. I also find that gardening - especially my front yard vegetable garden - can be community-building. It’s an excuse for conversations with neighbours and passers-by that may not have otherwise taken place, while also allowing for a joyful sharing of God-given gifts - be it lettuce, zucchini, a warm smile, or a friendly disposition.
 
Saint Augustine said, “Question the beauty of the earth… the order of the stars… the living creatures that move in the waters… They will answer you: ‘Behold and see, we are beautiful.'  Their beauty is their confession to God."  I find that all of creation really sings God’s praises. Small seeds can grow to be huge plants, bearing much fruit, just as the Word of God plants seeds of faith in our hearts and then by His grace they blossom, giving glory and praise to God.  I love to putter about in the garden, meditating on the psalms, or offering up a string of Hail Marys, asking Our Lady to keep my heart free from spiritual weeds and rocks. Vegetable gardening also offers us a perspective on farming and food production, helping us to have a genuine sense of thanksgiving for all the work that goes into putting food on the table and stocking grocery stores. Weeding in the hot sun or worrying about my garden through a hail storm reminds me to pray often for our ranchers and farmers to whom we owe so much. Finally, growing my own herbs and vegetables prompts me to strive to live a life full of gratitude for all the gifts that God has given.  ​

Emily Rochford

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Written by Emily Rochford. The Rochford family are parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish in Strathmore, AB.