Food doesn’t come from the grocery store — it comes from the earth. Gardening is our most direct connection to nature, and one of the most powerful ways we can take climate action right in our own backyards.

This week, I’m joined by Tasha Medve, the gardener and creator behind The Purposeful You. Tasha shares her passion for creating a “food oasis” at home, her best tips for beginners, and why gardening is about so much more than summer harvests. From fall crops to companion planting, we talk about the joy, the practicality, and the deeper meaning of growing your own food.

We also dig into family life: how to get kids involved in gardening, why it matters to raise eco-conscious kids, and how the garden itself can be the best teacher of all.

Takeaways

• How gardening connects us to the earth and why it matters now more than ever.
• Practical tips for beginners, including raised beds, fall planting, vertical growing techniques, and companion planting.
• How to make gardening fun and age-appropriate for kids.
• Reframing “failures” in the garden as part of the process.
• The therapeutic and reflective side of gardening.
• Small, sustainable shifts families can make at home.

One Small Shift

One of the very first changes Tasha made at home was rethinking single-use disposables like paper towels. By simply moving the paper towels out of sight, she created a habit shift that made low-waste living feel more natural. Stay tuned for us losing our minds over dish cloths!

Connect with Tasha

The Purposeful You - Website

The Purposeful You - Instagram

The Purposeful Gardner (Book - pre-order now!)

DIY Arch - Ideal for Vertical Growing (free printable)

Resources

West Coast Seeds

What to Use Instead of Paper Towels: 5 Easy Swaps

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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