My Journey to Growing Real Food
There’s something magical about planting a seed and watching it grow into something that nourishes your body, mind, and soul. But let me tell you—my journey to becoming a gardener was far from a straight path. It was filled with detours, revelations, and even a few laughs along the way. If you’re new to gardening, don’t worry. I’ve been where you are, and trust me, if I can do it, so can you!
The Seeds Were Planted… But Not by Me
Growing up, my dad, who is a master gardener, tried his best to teach me the art of growing food. He’d show me how to plant seeds, water them just right, and take care of the soil. But as a teenager, I was more interested in music, movies, and hanging out with my friends. Gardening? That felt like a chore. I’d roll my eyes and think, Why do I need to learn this? That’s what grocery stores are for.
Fast forward to 2017, and life had a funny way of bringing me back to those lessons. I started having revelations about the food industry. The more I learned, the more I realized that the food in grocery stores wasn’t really food at all. It was processed, full of chemicals, and making people—myself included—sick. Yet, even with that knowledge, I still hadn’t started a garden. The idea of it seemed overwhelming, and honestly, I wasn’t ready to take the leap.
The Spiritual Download That Changed Everything
Then came 2020. On March 9th, I received a spiritual download. It was urgent, and the message was clear: Something big is about to happen, and you need to prepare. Start living off-grid now. I didn’t fully understand what it meant at the time, but I trusted it. By the end of the month, the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S., and quarantine began. While the rest of the world was scrambling to adjust, my daughter, Autumn Azul, and I had already started living what we called our #SuperQuarantinedLife.
That’s when gardening became a part of my life in a real way. I knew I had to grow our own food—not just for survival but for health and connection to the Earth. I started sharing our journey online, and before I knew it, our off-grid lifestyle went viral. People were inspired by our determination, and I realized just how important it was to share what we were learning.
Gardening with Princess Autumn
If I’m being honest, my daughter Autumn was the natural gardener in the family. She took to it like a fish to water. Watching her in the garden is like watching a Disney princess in real life. She’d talk to the plants, and I swear they’d respond. She’d befriend butterflies, have long conversations with ladybugs, and even seemed to have an unspoken understanding with snakes and lizards. While I was fumbling with seeds and overwatering my tomatoes, Autumn was effortlessly growing cucumbers and carrots like she’d been doing it her whole life.
There was one day when I accidentally planted an entire packet of seeds in one tiny garden bed. Autumn walked over, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Mom, the plants need space to breathe.” She was seven. It was humbling.
Lessons and Laughs Along the Way
Starting a garden from scratch taught me so much about life, patience, and resilience. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned that might help you if you’re just getting started:
- You Will Mess Up—And That’s Okay: I’ve overwatered plants, planted seeds too close together, and even accidentally pulled out seedlings thinking they were weeds. Gardening is trial and error, and every mistake is a chance to learn.
- Start Small: You don’t need a giant garden to get started. A few pots on a balcony or a small raised bed in your yard is enough to begin. Trust me, even one tomato plant can bring so much joy.
- Plants Are Forgiving: One of the most beautiful things about plants is how resilient they are. Even when I’d make mistakes, they’d keep growing, reminding me that life always finds a way.
- Gardening Is a Spiritual Practice: There’s something deeply healing about working with the Earth. Planting seeds, feeling the soil in your hands, and watching something grow from nothing is a reminder of the magic of creation.
- Involve Your Kids: If you have children, let them join you in the garden. Autumn’s enthusiasm and connection with nature inspired me to keep going, even when it felt overwhelming. Plus, gardening is a great way to bond as a family.
You Can Do This
If you’re thinking about starting a garden but feel intimidated, take it from me: you don’t have to be perfect. Start where you are, with what you have. Whether it’s a few herbs on your windowsill or a small patch of land in your backyard, every little step counts.
Remember, gardening isn’t just about growing food. It’s about growing yourself. It’s about connecting with the Earth, nurturing life, and finding joy in the process. And who knows? You might discover, like I did, that the garden has a way of teaching you exactly what you need to learn.
So grab some seeds, get your hands dirty, and see what happens. You’ve got this. And if you ever need inspiration, just think of Princess Autumn, talking to her plants and making magic happen. If she can do it, so can you.
Azul Village 