Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate the harvest and other blessings of the past year.

The beauty of the seasons:

There is nothing more beautiful than a Pennsylvania autumn. But here in Pennsylvania we are also thankful for year-round color, beginning with crocuses and other spring flowering bulbs, followed by summer-blooming perennials.

Berries, such as those of the winterberry holly, add hues to our winter landscape.

However, many gardeners are also thankful that our growing season is not year-round. It’s nice to have downtime to peruse the seed catalogs and plan next year’s garden.

Thank a plant:

Plants are so important to almost every aspect of our life including breathing and eating. They create the oxygen in our atmosphere through photosynthesis.

All food comes directly or indirectly from plants; the fruits and vegetables we grow, meats and dairy products from animals that eat plants, and sugar and flour in baked goods.

We are also grateful for native plants that provide habitat and food for birds and other wildlife.

Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds:

We are grateful to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds for their beauty and their work as pollinators.

Plants are rooted in place, so they need something, such as a bee, to transfer pollen for them.

Successful pollination allows plants to manufacture seeds. Seeds are key to producing the next generation of plants that provides food for the next generation of pollinators. Neither plant nor pollinator populations can exist in isolation.

As gardeners, we should strive to attract pollinators and show gratitude to them by using organic products and avoiding chemical ones.

We are also thankful for beneficial insects that protect our vegetables from insect bullies. Entice beneficials, such as ladybugs, by planting the herbs and flowers they love. Ladybugs are attracted to flowers and herbs such as cilantro, dill, fennel, caraway, yarrow, tansy, scented geraniums, coreopsis and cosmos. They also love dandelion, a great reason for not removing all of them from your lawn.

Connecting with friends and neighbors:

Gardens are places where neighbors may connect, as shown in the many community gardens that are springing up in many of neighborhoods.

Health and exercise:

Gardening is good for your health. It burns calories, reduces stress and improves your overall physical and mental well-being.

Studies show that gardening can lower blood pressure, cut the risk of heart attack and stroke, and prolong life. The strength and stretching required to garden work all the major muscle groups.

Gardening allows the brain to relax and release the tension caused by our addiction to technology. It generates a feeling of accomplishment and allows us to focus on the beauty of life.

Be thankful:

These are just a few reasons to be thankful. I’m sure you can think of many more.

Every year, gardening has challenges which make us groan and complain, but at this time of year, let’s express our gratitude for the definite evidence of time well spent.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613.