by Beth Hilson
Not seeing much green, yet? Not to worry. Spring is coming and gardens will soon flourish. Hopefully, you’ve placed orders for seeds and seedlings, and planned flower and vegetable gardens, too. Perhaps you are designating an area as a butterfly garden. Please consider doing that. And maybe you’ve sent soil samples away for testing so you’ll know the proper balance of nutrients for your gardens. Not unlike us, our gardens need that proper balance of nutrition to thrive, too.
Please incorporate indigenous plants as you make your plans. Invasive species are both a danger to our gardens and climate and horrendous to eradicate.
That brings us to an important event that should help get you inspired. Remember, spring is just around the corner.
WEEDING FOR WELLNESS:
A PROGRAM ON THE MANY WAYS GARDENING IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH
Featuring DR. CINDI JONES
MARCH 22, 7 p.m.,
AT THE RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY CENTER.
Dr. Cindi Jones, Professor Emeritus with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCONN, has spent most of her career studying plant form and function. For the last few years, she has been investigating the role of nature in human wellbeing and mental health. She initiated a program called NatureRx at UConn (https://naturerx.initiative.uconn.edu/) that encourages college students to engage with nature and currently serves as the Director of the UConn Botanical Conservatory.
Dr. Jones will explain the many mental and physical health benefits of gardening and show us evidence that “playing in the dirt” lowers blood pressure and heart rate and increases optimism.
| SPONSORED BY: Wind Hill Community Farm, Hebron Ave., East Glastonbury. Open to the public and free of charge. A donation of $10 is appreciated. TO ATTEND: email windhillfarmcom@gmail.com |
Wind Hill Community Farm & Learning Center, Inc, a nonprofit, educational farm promotes environmental stewardship and healthy lifestyles. Wind Hill brings people together with other food and nature lovers to enjoy our beautiful hilltop property, to garden in rented raised beds, and join and enjoy the benefits of our CSA grown using organic principles.