God Made Dirt and Dirt Don't Hurt

You could say gardening is in my roots. As early as I can remember I was helping out in the orchard where my family has had a hand worked garden for generations. I have fond memories preparing and planting the spring garden around Mother’s Day each year as a family. Tilling the ground, adding fresh soil, sowing the seeds we hoped would soon be delicious food to eat.

In motherhood, I have continued this tradition with my daughter. You can catch us in the garden daily, wearing our matching pink Croc’s. It’s messy, wholesome learning. I always joke that we will never need a sandbox, instead she plays in the dirt, shoveling, helping me pick out weeds and harvest the veggies. The readiness of the crop we are still working on. She is just so helpful! Good thing we love fried green tomatoes and fresh picked flower buds, which when placed in water eventually bloom.

When you can find dirt under our nails and sweat on our foreheads, you know it’s been a good day in the garden.This is an invaluable time for my little one. What she learns when exploring the garden is helping her navigate lessons for life. Knowing where her food comes from, watching it grow and then tasting it fresh from the vine means that she will never take her food for granted. Plus, this adds to our love of the outdoors. I love sharing this part of my life with my daughter. My favorite thing is becoming something she also enjoys wholeheartedly. And it helps when you can have your toddle with you at work!

In the spring of 2021, I opened Daybreak Blooms, a garden to table flower and herb bouquet service. I love combining the beauty of fresh cut flowers with fragrant herbs like lavender, basil, mint, and sage. This business has grown into more than I could have imagined. I now service my community as a garden coach, helping others create their dream sanctuaries. I love mixing functionality with aesthetics. This can look like a herb garden, mindfully balanced with vegetables, cutting flowers, and native pollinating plants. I practice companion planting and take into account the sunlight in the space and the seasonal environment.

Doing work you love and sharing it from your heart is a courageous and brave act. I am showing my daughter that dreams are possible, and the importance of nature.I’ll leave you with a few words of wisdom: let them play outside. Everyday. In all kinds of weather. They can always take a bath. Let them help you in the garden and in the kitchen! It doesn’t have to be perfect! Your appreciation for food will transfer to them and help them to be well rounded humans.

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