What does gardening mean to you? Health? Happiness? Freedom? Connection? Gardening takes on a much deeper significance than just planting and growing. Here are a few stories about people whose lives have changed for the better with gardening.
For many, gardening is not just a hobby; it’s an important part of their lifestyle. From growing fresh food to enjoying the ritual of tending to plants, gardening can have a significant impact on an individual’s overall health and well-being (and their communities, too).
Here are the stories of five gardeners whose lives have changed thanks to gardening.
“Gangster Gardener” Ron Finley
Raised in South Central Los Angeles, Ron lived in a food desert (a place where healthy food options are virtually nonexistent). One day, he took a neglected patch of dirt near the road and began growing vegetables in it. However, he was quickly cited by the City of Los Angeles for gardening without a permit. Little did the city know that this citation would soon lead to a “horticulture revolution.”
Ron didn’t back down. He decided to fight his citation and, with the support of other green activists, got the laws changed and earned the right to grow food in his neighborhood. This act was the catalyst for the Ron Finley Project, which teaches communities how to transform their “food deserts” into “food sanctuaries” with fresh-grown produce.
Ron has since adopted the nickname “gangster gardener” because, to him, gardening is an act of rebellion against the destructive norms in urban communities. He sees gardening as a powerful, transformative force, teaching profound lessons about life and the planet. Ron believes everyone should possess the knowledge to feed themselves and understand the food they consume.
For Ron, food gardens represent a way to reclaim power and control over one’s life with the profound understanding and appreciation of the natural world – soil, air, and the magic of gardening.
Read more about Ron’s story on Masterclass.
