As we near the end of the summer, we are also nearing the end of another growing season. This year, I decided to up my game and plant a variety of fruits, herbs, salad greens, and whatever else I could fit on my microscopic townhouse patio. Sure, in the past I had the odd basil plant on a windowsill and appreciated the miscellaneous sprouts of chives that would pop up in my yard at the mere suggestion of sunlight, but this year was different. I invested a little more time and energy into my garden, and it paid off in more ways than one.Â
Keeping things alive and watching things grow from tiny little seeds, forced me outside everyday which, in turn, helped keep me from spiraling into a cave of depression and anxiety. Simultaneously, I produced enough herbs to actually begin dehydrating and saving for the (inevitably depressing) winter months. And, although summer is technically coming to a close, we are fortunate enough to live in a place with a long growing season. Bring on the winter crops! I see an abundance of spinach, kale, and collard greens in my future.
Sydney is a BA English major, creative writing student, who has been a content contributor for The Cascade and is now the Opinion editor. In 7th grade, she won $100 in a writing contest but hasn’t made an earning from writing since. In the meantime, she is hoping that her half-written novels will write themselves, be published, and help pay the bills.