Every summer, since SaimaaLife started in 2012, I have planted some kind of vegetable garden in various sizes. This summer is not an exception.
What is new this year is that you can watch me planting our garden also in 360° video. I hope you like it!
You can watch this 360° video on mobile by opening this link https://youtu.be/8fCfQh81yzU in your Youtube App. For the best experience, use virtual reality headset and remember to turn on HD!
At the beginning of each garden season, it’s nice to think back my gardening years and stories and lessons included in them.
The first year, I had my own one. Then, for many years I shared a garden with my mom. (or actually it was my mom’s garden where I was a student & helper). Last year I planted again my own garden, and this year I will do the same.
I’ve experienced all weathers from the hottest summer day till the heaviest rain while gardening. This year, when it was time to plant the seeds, we were pampered by an amazingly warm summer evening.
That evening I was working with our boat garden and our children were swimming in the lake. The moment was so idyllic that it made my heart sing (definitely something to remember and cherish during the long winter days!).
I have lived many ups and downs with the garden but despite the challenges I’ve wanted to get back to gardening each year.
Gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes, they say. For me, it is an important way to take care of my mental health and prevent depression relapses. Also, I can see already at this age (even though I’m still quite young and physically in a good shape) how gardening will help me stay physically active when I get older and may have to give up some other forms of exercise.
But let’s not get too cheesy. The fact is that gardening is not only sunshine and butterflies.
Like many gardeners, I have learned many things the hard way. To save you from these lessons, there are two guidelines that I want to share with you.
1) Choose the best kind of garden for you.
Backyard garden, balcony/patio garden, container garden, rooftop garden. The choice is yours depending on your life and housing situation.
Watch this short video of city gardens in Helsinki. There are plenty of gardening options, and you really can do garden anywhere!
Indoor gardening is one option, too. All you need is a windowsill. Here are my instructions how to start an indoor garden.
The site Gardening Know How has also a great article about different kinds of gardens.
2) Choose the best size of garden for you.
Start small. Period. Even if it seems like a good idea, do NOT make your garden too big!
Try to avoid the situation where something that started with joy and excitement, turns into stress and anxiety because you can’t find energy and time in your everyday life to take care of your garden.
Believe me, I know what I’m talking about! It’s not a nice feeling to notice after a work day that you have to start another one in your garden.
After planting my garden in 2017, I stepped on our deck to watch the sunset. Sipping my tea, I was thinking how my boat garden is actually well aligned with my current life situation as a startup mompreneur. It felt good to create and plant it, but it was not too challenging to do it. I still had time and energy to enjoy the results of my work.
So when thinking about gardening, or any other piece of your life puzzle, pay attention to what kind and what size of a piece you want to have.
The better you choose your kind and size, the more chances you have for a balanced and happy life.
And remember: it’s also totally fine not to have a garden at all! Garden of any kind is not a measurement of good parenthood or womanhood. You can very well buy your veggies from the Farmer’s market, flowers from the florist and use your time and energy doing completely other things – things that you enjoy.
Or you can visit and enjoy gardens that others take care of!
***
Tips for visiting Finnish gardens:
