Being a Steward of your Own Backyard!

Where does change for our environment, for dwindling species, for our very own well-being begin? Well, it starts with us. When? Right now! We don't have the luxury to wait to make changes. It's neither kind to ourselves nor to the natural world—both of which are deeply intertwined—if we don't begin to shift how we live.

We gave away our sovereignty, our health, and our well-being by letting others, or big companies with a profit-driven agenda, dictate our well-being. As we all know there is so much known about this, all the court cases, cancer noted to be starting earlier in young people, and on and on. Yet, as an eternal optimist and knowing that we can individually and then collectively in community create new ways of living, of being, or at least more harmonious within ourselves and our world.

“Start Small, Grow with Joy”

It starts where we live. In our yards, on a porch or even a balcony. If you have an HOA, then your backyard, which is probably fenced in, is a perfect hideaway to grow flowers, vegetables, and even a simple water feature. After assisting with gardens, I've found the best way to begin when staring at a large grass space and already feeling overwhelmed is to start small or with what is manageable for you! You will find that with every year, your garden will grow with you. Over time, you’ll discover what resonates with you and what doesn’t.

I believe an ideal backyard or anywhere there is space to grow should have the following: native plants to attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, ladybugs, the good insects! Native plants are not just easier to grow, but they provide the right kind of food for the animals, don't require as much water, and bring joy when they bloom. A pot or pots with herbs, there is nothing like cutting some thyme or gathering basil to put in a dish. And once you're comfortable, try your hand at growing a few vegetables!

I will truthfully admit that growing veggies is not always the easiest. Yet, there is nothing more magical or brings on such giddiness when harvesting what you have tended to. When you eat it, oh boy, the taste will amaze you, because it actually has flavor! Tomatoes especially. There have been many times that the little sunburst tomatoes have never made it to the kitchen!

You can grow veggies or greens in containers. I am always looking for planters that people are selling or giving away to create a container garden. I like it pretty and it can be both visually appealing, and functional. Or you can get raised garden beds and there will be someone in your area that builds them, unless you are handy! I prefer raised garden beds over just in the ground, but that is a preference. I feel they are more manageable, and in some rocky areas, it's too hard to even dig a hole! Remember, we want it to be more efficient to begin with, so you don't get overwhelmed and lean more into the joy.

Also, grow flowers! Plant for Spring, summer, and Fall, three seasons to harvest in! Not only will butterflies be happy, but when we grow our own flowers, and cut them there is this innate inner happiness!

Another habitat-friendly feature is just a low pan of water with a rock or two in it. This will be enjoyed by bees, and yes wasps may come, as well as lizards. If you don't like any of these critters, just keep the water further away. We don't have to like them, but they are still essential for us and the natural world. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a frog resting in the water, nature’s quiet little reward for your efforts.

In the end, living holistically isn't just about what we put on our plates or how we care for our bodies—it's also about how we engage with the world around us. Creating space for nature, even in the smallest ways, reconnects us to the rhythm of life that sustains us. It's a gentle reminder that wellness isn't just personal; it's planetary. By nurturing a patch of earth, we begin to heal not only ourselves but also the greater web of life we belong to. So let your garden—whether it's a wildflower pot on a balcony or a buzzing backyard ecosystem—be your quiet act of resistance, of restoration, and of hope!

To your whole, wild wellness — Christina