There's a magic to growing your own food that goes beyond the positive environmental impact (reduced fossil fuels and chemical fertilizers, seed stewardship, support for local pollinators, the list goes on and on), the grocery savings (enough said), the health benefits (we know the physical ones, how about the mental health benefits of time spent in the garden and eating produce that hasn't been stripped of all its nutrients?).

Beyond all that, there's the feeling of your hands in the dirt, the wonder of watching seeds burst into life, the arrival of bees and butterflies and birds, the taste of a tomato picked only a second ago, the love that goes into tending the garden daily.

Chris Seidel and I want to share this magic with our community: friends, neighbors, schools, local businesses. For those who can't afford to get a garden started, be it for lack of money or lack of time or experience, we want to gift a garden.

We want to build and install custom raised beds, seal them with local beeswax, fill them with rich soils, plant them with quality organic seeds, and let our friends care for them and watch them grow.

I have loved gardening ever since I bit into a giant carrot that I pulled out of my preschool garden. For many years in Vermont it seemed like I could throw seeds out of the kitchen window and a garden would explode into life. In recent years I've been intimidated by my busy schedule and my xeriscaped New Mexico yard.

All I needed was for Chris to come along and help me build a simple wooden frame, and remind me of all the love and life and deliciousness it could hold.

Help us share this gift! Your contributions will go toward lumber, local beeswax, compost, organic seeds, healthy living, tasty eating, and so much love. We will keep you updated with photos and stories as the gardens grow!