TARRANT COUNTY, Texas (April 14, 2020) – It turns out gardening is not only good for the outside, but it’s good for your insides as well. Studies show outdoor activities, such as gardening, help to burn calories, lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and make people happier overall.
Prairie View A&M University Extension Agent Jordan Peldyak, who’s been gardening for years, understands the importance of this outdoor activity. That’s why he decided to create a program to show people, especially younger generations, how to do it correctly.
“I created a gardening program that is geared towards limited-resource schools in Tarrant County that are in need of education related towards growing your own food, plant science, soil components, and eating healthy, he said. “I wanted to start this program because when speaking with advisory committees and local school officials, [I learned] many youth are not being educated on agricultural education practices. I believe agriculture affects everyone’s life, and the importance of understanding how to create your own food is something that is important to our well-being.”
The lessons Peldyak uses are part of the 4-H Junior Master Gardener and Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! curriculums, which help participants promote a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate their minds.
“Gardening creates a bond with food,” said Peldyak. “This connection can provide not only an understanding of how to grow your own food, but you will also learn how to eat healthy. Hands-on gardening can also open up the importance of agriculture education and possible careers in the field.”
And Peldyak says you don’t have to be a professional farmer to start your own garden.
“There are many ways to create a garden. But to get started right away, I recommend raised bed gardens or container gardening. Depending on the size of your raised bed or container, you can start one in a small yard or even on your porch. Raised bed gardens can also take minimal supplies and are cost-effective,” he said.
He says the best soil to use is a combination of garden soil with high organic matter, top soil, and cow manure. It is also important to have a location that gets plenty of sunlight.
“Depending on what vegetables or fruit you are interested in planting will determine what season you may want to start your garden. In Texas, the spring and summer provide the appropriate amount of sunlight throughout the day for many crops. Fall and winter gardens are still an option for some vegetables,” said Peldyak.
And, regardless of whether you start a garden in the spring, summer, fall, or winter, he says gardening is a hobby that can be done throughout a lifetime.
“Gardening is a great way to continue to be healthy throughout your life. When growing your own food, it gives you the appreciation about how all food has a process of being made,” he said. “The progression of starting and maintaining a garden gives me a lot of joy even in years my crops don’t grow as well. There is always a goal or way to create a better garden each year.”
Click here to view Peldyak’s video on how to start a raised garden bed at home.
Click here to view Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s garden planting guide.
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By Marchita Shilo