My only memory of my grandfather, Constantin Dobrowski, is of him hoeing in his garden in Connecticut, but stopping to look at me and take me in. Today a new baby, Eli Manheimer was born in Ridgefield, Ct. Eli, may you grow up to garden like our forefather and foremothers. It’s one of the purest forms of love. Born to Gloria and Isaac after one/half hour of labor! Wow.

People who garden are healthy longer into old age and those who grow fruits and vegetables for their own consumption are less likely to be sick.

The learning curve has been steep since I didn’t begin taking classes and then garden writing until retirement.

It’s been worth all the financial costs, exhaustion at the end of the work days and frustration.

Waste is a huge problem as well. We buy and grow foods with good intents, but often let good things go to waste. Try eating what needs to be eaten (rather than eating what you want to eat). You’ll find a whole new way of planning meals and saving money.