If you've been with me for a while, you know that I was lucky enough to get a community garden plot a few years ago and it’s become something that at around this time of the year I’m super excited to start spending my time putting around in it getting my hands dirty. Let me also say it’s on a working farm with goats and the most beautiful flower beds (flowers are one thing this farm is also known for so it’s fun to see what ends up splattered all around my apartment growing in the fields before they make it there) so along with my little community of gardeners I get to be front and centre to see how much work and love goes into getting beautiful produce to my community. I usually ride my bike there and I love that it becomes a little ritual in my day to jump on my bike and get down to plant, or water, or weed, or harvest, or just sit in the sunshine with a coffee surrounded by all the things growing.

I had no idea how much I'd love spending hours with my hands in the dirt, watching things grow from tiny little seeds into all this beautiful produce that I get to cook with. There's something so satisfying in the whole process.

I'm also realizing that I'm meant to do things with my hands. It's why I love cooking so much, and knitting, and pottery, and playing the guitar. These things always get me out of my head and gardening is no different. It’s like moving meditation for me. I've realized in all of this that sitting on a mat isn't necessarily the thing that will quiet my monkey mind - getting into my body does. Something creative where I can express myself and move through anything I might be feeling. It also keeps me from getting stuck - because when I'm in my head I can talk myself into alot of things that aren't true and then end up not moving at all. So whenever I’m feeling that way I know what I need to do and I love that I have all of these practices to get me out of whatever funk my mind’s gotten me into.

Now of course the garden also connects back to cooking - because yes, most things do!

I love that it can be yet another source of inspiration in my cooking. Because there's something so special about using ingredients you've grown yourself. It’s an opportunity to get creative, whether you've planted alot of one ingredient; you get to experiment with different ways of cooking the same thing, or you get adventurous and plant something you don't normally cook with and then see what comes from that.

And if you don't feel like you have a green thumb there's one thing that I believe anyone can grow that will instantly uplevel your cooking and that's fresh herbs. Fresh herbs is one simple thing that takes home cooking to chef level. And the best part? You can grow them anywhere - you don't even need a plot of dirt. On your window sill, in containers on your patio, there's even set ups you can buy that have lights so you can have them on your counter if your light is an issue. The second is edible flowers. Because we eat with our eyes first so taking that little extra step to make your food look as pretty as possible before you tuck into it is something we all deserve more of. So pop some pansies, or nasturtiums, calendula or borage in your garden and try not to smile when you sprinkle them in a salad or drop into a patio cocktail, or layer them between fresh pasta and roll out some of the prettiest pappardelle you've ever seen. Always worth it.

So if you’ve been thinking about growing a kitchen garden, this is your sign to jump in a get your hands dirty! I’ve noted some resources below that I love that might just help you get into it as much as I have.

And before I go, here’s a few things I’ve learned from my tending to this little plot of dirt that also always fits with cooking too:

Believe in the magic before you can see it.

Some of the biggest triumphs come from the smallest of things.

Patience is always rewarded.

Failures are a good thing - they’re part of the process.

There’s a reason everything.

MORE GARDEN INSPIRATION AND RESOURCES:

If you’ve got a garden growing already, radishes are always one of the first things to come out of the garden so here’s 3 ways to cook them - because the possibilities are endless as I said, get creative on cooking one ingredient: Radishes 3 Ways

Gather and Grow - Brianne has a great beginner gardening course that is all about making gardening simple and accessible.

Mind and Soil - Jordan is the best when it comes to simple guides to growing most anything! He was my go to for my first garlic harvest and I’d say it was a success with 29 beautiful heads of garlic last year :) His YouTube channel is full of resources, so is the website, and if you can get a hold of his worm castings, it’s totally worth it! I also love his mission to get more people gardening mindfully.

The Art of Growing Food - This is one of my favourite newsletters to read here on Substack. Ellen always has great insight and I love seeing what she’s up to in her garden week to week.

Edible flowers to try:

Want more with me? 

This publication is reader supported and it means the world if you choose to become a paid subscriber. You’ll also get access community threads, months round ups, more recipes and live hangouts, and more!

The Communal Table If you don’t know, this is my monthly cooking community where I lead classes, have guest teachers join us, there’s a cookbook club, foodie round tables where we nerd out about all things cooking and food, plus monthly giveaways of my favourite things, and so much more. If you’re looking for a space of rad people who love cooking as much as you do, come join us!

Learn more

Ready to learn the pleasure and the principles of cooking well? Let’s THE CREATIVE KITCHEN This if for you if you want to learn some foundational cooking skills so you can find your own creativity and flow in the kitchen. Because that’s what it’s all about!