From Grade 8 to Garden Grit: How Growing Eggplants Sparked My Love for Gardening

There’s a special kind of peace and excitement that comes with planting seeds. It’s the quiet thrill of possibility—the idea that something small and humble can grow into something nourishing, beautiful, and alive. For me, gardening isn’t just a hobby. It’s a grounding ritual, a way to connect with nature and with myself.

My very first gardening experience was back in Grade 8. I still remember the joy of working alongside my classmates, our hands in the soil, laughter in the air. We planted eggplants—simple, sturdy, and surprisingly satisfying to grow. That moment planted more than vegetables; it planted a lifelong love for tending the earth.

These days, I especially enjoy growing herbs and vegetables I can use in daily meals. There’s something deeply rewarding about harvesting ingredients you’ve nurtured yourself. A sprig of basil, a handful of lemongrass, a freshly picked eggplant—it all tastes better when you’ve watched it grow from seed to plate.

Gardening helps me calm down. The fresh air, the rhythm of watering and weeding, the quiet companionship of plants—it’s like nature’s own therapy. As someone who works as a contractor, I’ve learned so much through gardening. It’s taught me patience, observation, and the value of small, consistent care. These lessons spill over into my work and life in ways I never expected.

Every time I step into the garden, I feel that same peace and excitement I felt back in Grade 8. And every time I harvest something I’ve grown, I’m reminded that growth—whether in plants or in people—is always worth the effort.

Lovely Jean B. Almazan

Executive Assistant

Garden Enthusiast