Are you aware that a national survey conducted by the Garden Writers Association identified vegetables or fruit as the second most likely plants people intend to grow?

Still, when I recently suggested we, as a community, consider 'greening our diets' the response was "are you serious." I'd have to answer – yes! For, it was an experience at the local Good Foods store that inspired me to choose this topic.

I had the check-out clerk make a comment that made me question the impact of personal diet on the environment as well as individual health. When the young man handed my package to me, he said, "Eating green requires two activities: having the knowledge and then, the funds to support your choice. Because I'm a college student, I can't afford to eat green."

While I agree with this young man's observation, I'd add a third activity – personal commitment. Over the years, I've observed if commitment exists, a 'means to the end' is identified. Let me share an example of 'grow your own commitment'.

As a garden speaker, I frequently attend events and speak on industry topics. So, because I was forewarned by a colleague that I would be visiting the Disney Land of gardens, Vancouver, Canada, I traveled armed with a new camera, extra batteries and a dozen rolls of film.

During my three-day visit, I experienced some of the most outstanding gardens in North America. I saw native flora at the University of British Columbia's Botanical Garden; visited the Thomas Hobbs garden, an elegant and sophisticated green space; and sat on a bench at the VanDusen Botanical Garden to watch a rainbow play in the spray of a fountain. Still, the highlight of this trip occurred in a somewhat unexpected garden.

To add diversity to the tour, we stopped at an urban renewal community garden project, Cottonwood Community Garden. Entering the area through an over-grown bramble thicket, I questioned this area's inclusion in the tour. For the area was divided into small individual plots with plants, design and care appearing to vary. As I carefully select a path, I walked past unkempt gardens and then, spotted a colorful healthy space.

Sitting in her wheelchair, gardener Jill Weiss tended a bio-diverse colorful display of flowers and vegetables. Specifically designed for her special needs, Jill's garden was approximately four feet by four feet with a height of 2 and one-half feet. As Jill says, "The designed space enables me to easily reach into it and allows access for my chair. Students from a nearby school built the raised garden for me." 

Standing next to Jill, I watched bees and butterflies feast on the nectar of her garden. Jill, a former U.S. citizen, shared her story of becoming disabled as the result of a car accident. As I watched Jill's busy hands, I was mesmerized by her activities; then, shocked into reality when a nearby person asked, "So, you don't consider yourself disabled?"

Appearing to not be surprised by the question, Jill answered, "Of course I'm disabled. I simply don't let it prevent me from gardening." Persisting further, the person asked, "Well, why do you garden?" With out skipping a beat, she smiled and said, "Because it makes me a healthier person."

My Virginian southern politeness heritage urged me to recover the situation; so, I shift the subject's direction by saying, "I see by the array of your plants that it is more than you personally can handle. Do you share it?"

Jill replied, "I have two neighbors that have health issues; so, I try to improve their diet by sharing my vegetables. I rotate seasonal plantings and grow sweet potatoes, melons, tomatoes and salad greens as well as herbs. I've found both my garden activities and the food it supplies to significantly improve my overall health."

When I heard the warning honk of the tour bus horn, I thanked Jill for sharing her story and wishing her the best with her garden endeavors, left. Still, although thousands of miles separate us, I have not forgotten the experience of meeting Jill. Now, when I question where to install a plant in my garden space or experience back pain from gardening, instead of complaining, I recall a person that did not measure herself in terms of limitations but possibilities, a person to me that truly symbolizes commitment, the spirit of a gardener.

Have you made a commitment to green your diet? Have you acquired the knowledge and identified strategies to make your choice affordable? To share advice or the results of your choices related to this subject, contact me at syhwright@comcast.net or post comments below. Together, let's create a series of column topics that assist the 'greening' of our Community: move the Greater Richmond Area from eco-weak to eco-chic, creating a legacy of healthy green.

Sylvia Hoehns Wright, a landscape-garden designer located in Glen Allen, specializes in eco-chic strategies. For details of Wright’s activities, contact 804-672-6007, syhwright@comcast.net or see Web site, www.TheWrightScoop.com.