Editor’s note: If you’re interested in gardening, we’re holding a Zoom discussion with Kristin Hock of New Jersey Audubon on “Gardens for Wildlife” at 7 p.m., Monday May 18th. You can register here.
by Linda Hewitt
When looking to buy a house, I wanted to have a big backyard, more than a big house. I had three sons who were “encouraged” to play outside.
One day, I realized that my middle son was not inviting any friends to play at our house anymore. When asked, he replied that it was because I made them play outside. I had to change a bit and allow some video game time, as well as nudging them toward outdoor fun.
Boy, have things changed since that time many years ago when I was raising my kids!
But in some ways, although our lives have seemingly transformed overnight, some things are still brilliantly the same.
Although many of us now spend much more time working from home on our computers, helping our children with school work, or maybe even spring-cleaning our closets, we are finding that it’s more important than ever to spend time outside, whenever possible.
Spring has always been my favorite season. The time of new beginnings, spring continues to amaze each year, with its rebirth from the dark winter. The wonderful return to more daylight, fresh new growth and buds of the new season make my spirit soar.
Now more than ever, stuck inside, we realize how important it is for our health, both physically, and perhaps even more importantly-- mentally, to spend time outdoors. Taking a walk in a park, or at the beach, stopping by a local lake or walking in the woods are great ways to enrich our lives.
It felt very unsettling during the time recently when most parks were shut down in New Jersey. Although it was done with good intentions, I found myself wondering, “how can you close the outdoors when it is essential to us as human beings?”
Now parks have reopened and hopefully we can respect our fellow beings by social distancing when we are spending time outside of our homes.
But it is spring, so make the most of it! My advice is get outside as much as you can, and enjoy the spring of 2020. Try calling a friend as you walk— it almost feels like going on a walk together. Or unplug, and just listen to the sounds of nature. You could be amazed by the calls of different birds and wildlife that you've never noticed before.
If you are lucky, you might come across some animals to observe, like the deer I watched as they watched me in March, while walking at Sandy Hook. One day in April, I sat on a log for several minutes and just listened to the musical chorus of some frogs communicating in Allaire State Park. But yesterday, on Mother’s Day, despite the COVID-19 virus, it was one of the best nature experiences I have had in NJ.
I went to a nursery in the morning, and got some beautiful flowers to plant. Afterwards, I discovered a local park near Red Bank. It was quite close to the Library and yet I had never been there. There were not many people, but lots of animals and birds.
While walking, my son and I spotted a fox, and a little while after, I saw a foxes’ den, something I have never seen. Inside in the lower right hand corner, was a baby fox. We looked each other in the eye and at first I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I wanted to pull my phone out of my pocket, but no, this was a time meant to just live in the moment and enjoy with my eyes what I was seeing.
Outside, you can more easily juggle social-distancing and courtesy by stepping aside for others as they pass by on the trail or sidewalk. It wouldn't hurt to say hello, either."
Another Great Way To Enjoy the Outdoors
If you are a gardener, or want to be, spring is the perfect time to start. You really don’t need to have a huge space to do some planting. Perhaps you are lucky and have a yard or even a spot to place some pots, go outside and plant some seeds. A few weeks ago, seed sales skyrocketed, as people became more anxious about future food availability. We squeaked in an order from our favorite catalog, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (though pickings were slim).
This is an opportunity to take charge of your family's health, as there is no greater way to provide food, than growing it yourself. As Baker Creek writes in their 2020 spring catalog, “Seeds are the living component that connects us back to our ancestors, our own culture and the amazing cultures and food.”
In the early spring, I came across an interesting New York Times article, which discusses our collective impulse to garden in this uncertain time. Gardening and planting Victory Gardens filled people’s lives during another uncertain time in history.
Also, it’s a great time to engage children now staying at home to learn about seeds, the importance of healthy eating, and growing their own food. When my children were younger, one of our favorite spring activities was to take cardboard egg cartons and put some soil in each of the twelve slots, plant a few seeds (either vegetables, flowers, or herbs), water and watch them grow! Follow the instructions on the seed packets and plant them somewhere outside when the plants are strong and the weather is right for outdoor planting.
Now that the chance for frost is pretty much over, almost all seeds, seedlings and plants can go directly into the ground (or containers). Within a couple months, with a lot of watering and a little luck, you’ll be swimming in tomatoes.
Linda Hewitt is the Circulation Supervisor and the Adult Programming Manager at the Red Bank Public Library.