Dr. Karen Bell

Keep Liberty Beautiful

Ms. Nash and I were recently welcomed into the home garden of state Representative Al Williams and his wife, Olivia Williams. We learned a lot about gardening and took home some cabbage and greens. Mrs. Williams and her cousin Sherry pulled some cabbage, greens, and turnips to cook for dinner. They explained that they have been harvesting produce, such as greens, to cook for the holidays.

In an age of rising food costs, environmental challenges, and busy lifestyles, starting and maintaining a home garden is more vital than ever to help families improve health, preserve traditions, and support sustainability.

Emphasizing these benefits can inspire community members to begin their own gardens and contribute to a healthier environment.

One of the most important advantages of home gardening is improved access to healthy, nutritious food. Fruits and vegetables grown at home are harvested at peak ripeness, often making them more flavorful and nutrient-dense than produce shipped long distances. Ms. Nash, a Keep Liberty Beautiful Advisory Board member and longtime advocate for gardening and healthy living, believes gardens reconnect people with their food. “When you grow it yourself, you understand the value of fresh food and the work that goes into it,” she said.

“That connection encourages better eating habits and less food waste.”

Home gardens also provide financial benefits.

With grocery prices continuing to rise, growing even a small portion of household produce can help families feel more in control and empowered over their food choices. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, greens, and herbs can produce food over multiple harvests, offering a strong return on a modest investment. Gardening is both practical and empowering. A home garden gives families the opportunity to take control of part of their food supply.

It is a small step that can make a big difference over time.”

Beyond the dinner table, home gardening supports environmental sustainability. Gardens reduce the demand for heavily packaged and transported food, lowering a household’s carbon footprint. While pests and weeds can be challenges, practices like composting kitchen scraps and yard waste enrich soil and help manage these issues naturally. Gardens also improve soil health, support pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and help manage rainwater runoff. According to Mrs.

Olivia Williams, gardening is a responsibility as much as a benefit. “When we take care of the land around our homes, we are also taking care of our community and future generations,” she said.

Gardening is also deeply connected to mental and physical well-being.

It provides low-impact physical activity that improves flexibility, strength, and overall health. Time spent outdoors has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood. For many, gardening is a source of peace and reflection. Ms. Sherry from Philly, who learned the art of gardening from her grandmother, Sylvania Smith, of Midway, shared how those lessons have endured across generations. “My grandmother taught me that a garden feeds more than your body,” she said. “It feeds your soul. She passed down knowledge that I still use today, and now I pass it on to others.”

That passing down of knowledge highlights another powerful benefit of home gardening, like preserving culture and tradition. For many families, gardening is a link to heritage and history.

Techniques, seeds, and stories are shared from one generation to the next, keeping traditions alive. Mrs. Olivia Williams noted that gardens have long been central to family life. “Gardening taught us patience, discipline, and gratitude,” she said. “Those lessons are just as important today as they were years ago.”

Maintaining a home garden is just as important as starting one.

Regular watering, weeding, and monitoring help plants thrive and prevent problems before they grow. While initial setup requires some time and effort, ongoing maintenance builds commitment and encourages learning through each season. Gardens teach consistency.

When you care for something regularly, you see results. That lesson applies far beyond the garden.

Home gardening is also adaptable to nearly any living situation.

Those without yards can grow food in containers, raised beds, or mobile gardens on patios and balconies. These options make gardening accessible to seniors, renters, and families with limited space. Ms. Nash pointed out, “You don’t need acres of land to make a difference. Even a small garden can provide food, beauty, and pride.” Starting small can build confidence and inspire ongoing effort.

As communities face challenges related to food security, environmental change, and public health, home gardens offer a simple yet powerful solution. They promote self-reliance while encouraging neighbors to share produce, seeds, and knowledge. These shared efforts help build stronger, more connected communities that support each other’s well-being.

In the end, a home garden is more than a place to grow plants. It is an investment in health, tradition, sustainability, and community. By starting and maintaining a garden, individuals honor the wisdom of past generations while planting hope for the future, one seed at a time.

For more information about home gardening or KLB programs, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 880-4888 or email klcb@libertycountyga.gov.