My Corona Garden

To feel more connected to the extended length of time I’m spending indoors these days and weeks, I decided to plant seeds in 100 small containers to mark this season in real time. And in just seven days, they are sprouting!

If you’ve ever started an indoor garden, you know the reason you do it: to get a jump start on the gardening season. Since we have a shorter growing season in Colorado, and we’re in Zone 5b and 6a, this is common practice for seasoned gardeners who get few extra weeks of growing time, which can really make a difference.

In my corona garden, the Brussels sprouts are taking off. Not far behind, the arugula, lettuce (two varieties,) cucumber, purple eggplant and multi-colored peppers. Lagging a bit this week are three types of tomatoes and the parsley. The indoor growing season ranges from a few weeks all the way to 8 weeks, and most of these seedlings need that long to get hardened and ready to plant outdoors.

Observing how these seedlings thrive gives me a great pick me up every morning. What a contrast to the loss that I, and many of you, are experiencing as we live through COVID19.

Beyond the seedlings, our home is filled with plants and flowers. They are an inexpensive form of art and they offer so much delight in their blooms and new leaves. Scientists, biologists, even environmental psychologists, confirm their benefits.

Household plants boost mood, productivity, concentration and creativity. They even reduce stress, fatigue, sore throats and colds. And on top of it all, they clear indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity and producing oxygen.

And here’s something I know for sure: the things I do to keep the orchids, bromeliads, philodendron, Peace Lily plants and Christmas cacti alive also work for me.

1. Regular water intake.

2. Just the right amount of sunlight.

3. A new perspective from time to time.

4. Trimming off whatever is overgrown.

5. Conversation and company.

If an indoor garden is more than you want to undertake, consider picking up a flowering plant whenever you’re permitted to head out to a store this week. By following the above instructions, you will get instant beauty, one more thing to add to your routine and a boost to your health.

And as an added bonus, if for whatever reason your connections to people in person, on the phone or on Zoom are spotty, your plant will love to hear about your day.