The joy of communing with nature through gardening

THE hiatus caused by coronavirus disease in our daily activity has somehow re-introduced us to doing something essential and manageable.

Just like the enthusiasm felt by former Bacolod City Councilor lawyer Sonya M. Verdeflor, her grandson Juancho Angelios Verdeflor Jose and their Chief Gardener Lota Martinez-Trigue, who indulged some of their time into gardening.

They started to establish a green "vegetable" garden so that they can make use of their quiet time into something productive.

Sonya said, "Gardening makes us commune and be at peace with nature. It gives us first-hand experience with the awesome creations of God. By starting vegetable gardens and seeing them grow and multiply remind us of God's provisions. If we use our God-given resourcefulness and plant vegetables that provide us with the nutrients that our bodies need, then we will survive in this time of so many uncertainties."

She said her grandson Juancho helps water the plants every day and he is also enjoying what he is doing to help develop our little green garden.

Gardening teaches us the value of sustainability. Instead of buying them in the market, you can just pick it up from your backyard. Our parents and great grandparents used to source their vegetables and herbs from their garden. Freshly picked vegetables taste better and healthier to one's body, she adds.

She is also delighted to see Juancho, who is a millennial, appreciate the basic value of gardening which is a good start for him to understand the importance of simple and basic living.

The three always help each other grow their green garden with a joyful heart.

"The green thumb looks happier when we see the progress of our collaboration," she said.