Many people have rediscovered gardening right now. Some because the fear of all of us running out of food is real, some because we realize that plants are the most important part of our diet and we want them to be as fresh as possible, and some just want to see something grow because it gives us hope in the times of Covid19.
Study after study has been done that shows very clearly that gardening has health benefits way beyond that of a healthy diet. Just being in nature is calming and watching what you planted grow is pure joy! (*disclaimer - watching a gopher eat what you planted is NOT pure joy 🤪)
Today, I want to invite you to come along with me to watch the development of this little bean plant.
Do you see the little sprout coming up? It is still curled up like a little baby.
My first step was to soak the bean seeds (which are basically dried beans) for a few hours, I planted them and then, the waiting began. Well - besides waiting, you have to make sure that the seeds stay moist at all times. If it starts sprouting and then dries out - that is the end of that particular potential plant.Â
Protip: Avoid starting seeds when you have a heatwave.
Now, you see that the stem has unfurled. You see the two halves of the bean I planted and the first little leaf.
Here you see the leaf growing from the core of the seed.
Now, the two first leaves are ready to spread out.
Here we go - they spread their wings. The plant soon will grow, grow, grow.
Here is the first photo again of a bean plant a little further along.
Several true leaves have formed now and soon, this plant will start to flower and to produce green beans. This is a bush bean, meaning that the plant will get to be a little over knee tall and bush out. It doesn't need a support to climb up on.
If you are anything like me, you always think that you can do more then you have time on that day.
I soaked more beans than I had space prepared to plant.
I didn't want to lose them and decided to get them started in a pot to be transplanted after they have developed their first true leaves.
Do you have a garden or grow a few plants in your house? If you do, join us and post about it! Use the #grovid20 so we can find you. The hashtag represents looking towards a positive future during the time of everyone thinking about covid19 and the sadness that brings to our hearts. Let us all collectively look to the bright side.
Also, use #naturefirst and participate in 
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