Dayton "Dirt" - January 3, 2014

The new year of 2014 begins fresh with many having thoughts of improving health and fitness starting this New Year. In 2009, I remember reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about a number of men and women thrown out of work by the crash of 2008 beginning an earnest fitness program. A combination of a workout at the gym and later on gardening and yard work does take the boredom out of a regular repetitive work out. Another health issue to do with the vegetable garden is its bounty of fresh produce during the growing season to be followed by a freezer full of frozen beans, peas, corn, peppers and blueberries supplemented by canned produce such as pickles, mustard peppers, jams, jellies and beets. A root cellar comes in handy with a cache of potatoes setting along side tubers of dahlias, rhizomes of cannas and the corms of gladiolas just waiting for the time to irradiate those long summer days with dazzling displays of color. The beauty of the produce of one’s own garden is that the gardener is under control in his or her use (or lack thereof) of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides during the growing season. Many organic or nearly organic compounds are available today to control or eradicate a host of pests and diseases so that there is no residue of harmful chemicals. The health benefits of an abundance of fruits and vegetables and sparse servings of meat and poultry are now well known. Regular exercise and gardening is a good way to extend the quality of a long life. Plan to garden for health and for pleasure amongst other New Year resolutions. Tom