It was March 2020. The realities of the COVID-19 pandemic were becoming apparent. It looked like the world was going to be in for an uncertain and possibly painful spring and summer – if not longer.
“It really had me doing some soul-searching,” says Steve Reiners, professor of horticulture and chair of the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science. “I wondered, what could I do to help make life a little bit better for all the frustrated people out there trying to navigate their way through this terrible pandemic? It’s easy to forget that some people feared we may be facing food shortages.”
Then it came to him: He could share his vegetable-growing expertise through a weekly column to help them grow their own vegetables.
“It was one of the best things people could do to get outside in the fresh air on a regular basis and take a break from the news and social media,” says Reiners. "Research shows spending time in nature relieves stress and anxiety, improves your mood, and boosts feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
“Plus with gardening, you get some really great fresh vegetables,” he adds.
