There is something quietly powerful about pushing your hands into the earth in late spring and trusting what you put there. Late spring garden planting is more than a seasonal chore — it’s a ritual of renewal, a return to roots, and a reminder that good things grow slowly. Here in southeast Michigan, the weather has been doing what Michigan weather does — 45 degrees with the heat on one morning, the AC blasting the next — but the garden doesn’t care. It’s ready, and so am I.
A Childhood of Memorial Days in the Dirt
Growing up in Ohio, our family spent Memorial Day weekend planting a garden that took up nearly half an acre. We’re talking hundreds of tomato plants, rows of corn, peppers, potatoes, zucchini, beans, lettuce, cucumbers — if it could grow, we tried it. As a teenager, I was less than thrilled. While my friends headed to the lake, I was elbow-deep in soil and not hiding my feelings about it very well.
But here I am, years later, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Funny how that works.
What's Growing in the Garden This Year
This year’s garden is full and diverse — exactly how I like it. Here is what is going in the ground:
- Peppers and tomatoes — the anchors of any summer garden
- Leafy greens: lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, and Swiss chard
- Asian greens: bok choy, which I have been wanting to grow for years
- Root vegetables: potatoes and beets
- Warm-weather abundance: beans, zucchini, cucumbers, and eggplant
- Herbs galore — because every meal deserves fresh herbs from just outside the door
Each of these plants carries its own healing properties and nutritional gifts — and there is something deeply grounding about knowing exactly where your food comes from and what went into growing it.
The Dream Behind the Garden
Someday, I would love to own a large plot of land — a space to grow food and build a community garden where anyone can come, dig in, get their hands dirty, and reconnect with the earth. Back to roots and radiance. Back to nature and real nourishment.
That is what this whole journey is about, really. Not just what we eat, but how we grow, gather, and heal.
→ Raised bed kits and seed-starting supplies
→ Crop Cage for Garden Plants (great if squirrels like to snack on your tomatoes)
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Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before beginning any new herbal regimen.
