We can't all have large allotments and gardens I guess, the reason I asked people to respond no matter how they do their gardening, or on what scale. No matter how it's done, there's rewards to be found.
It was 26 today, and yeah it's warming up quickly with nights that are not as cold and a few degrees warmer during the day, loads of sun helps. My garden is designed specifically for my situation here, I mentioned the raised beds a long time ago, and I always plant things that I know will work out, are suited. It's all going well. One day I might show some photos showing the whole ting, but I'm reluctant to show my house too much so have not to date.
It's addictive, isn't it? Once you see the benefits you look forward to getting out there and planting something. That's okay, don't share your entire life on HIVE, haha - I'm sure, like me, you are only showing the tip of the iceberg!
I really love the people in Phillipines or parts of Asia that are making do with very little money, the people who live in cities and only have a balcony - these Hive gardeners show their persistance, resilience, and passion for gardening and see much success. They're some of my favourites! And I love the Phillipino garden initiative in schools - that's pretty cool as well.
I remember being a kid of around five years old helping with the vegetable gardens, the orchards and animals at home with my parents. It was a good introduction to it and the lessons I learned, the love for gardening but more so for the process of putting my hand to things, actively working towards creating something through effort, skill and knowledge, has stuck with me throughout my life. That's why I am who I am I guess, at least it's partly responsible.
Being prepared, for whatever I can be prepared for, brings confidence and comfort, and gardening is part of that, as is many other things I do with my time and while yes, like you say, I only show the tip of the iceberg here, those things are incredibly important to me; I'll not go as far as say, define me, but they are certainly intrinsic.
Gardening can happen anywhere, it's the scale that changes.
I think if we have good memories of gardens as kids, we return full circle to that. My german Nana had an awesom green thumb - I still feel myself close to her when I garden!