I'm amazed at the power of small things that make a big difference. The other day I received an email from Sally, a gardener in Florida. "I enjoyed your seed-starting article on your website. I just started some flower seeds last week. They've already jumped to life. I wasn't sure what to do next. I do now thanks to you."

When I read Sally's email, I was having a "Is anybody out there?" kind of moment, and as my hands hovered above the keyboard, I felt myself lift out of the mood, realizing how much, during the course of a day, we touch people with actions, words and thoughts. Even small ones.

Maybe that explains why I'm so jazzed about starting plants from seeds. You know, small seeds that grow into big plants. Every chance I get--in my columns, podcasts, workshops, website, blog, newsletter--I spread the good word about growing your own. Here's the latest headline I used [don't laugh]: SAVE MONEY, LOSE WEIGHT by growing your own seedlings!

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Take a little detour:  You can LISTEN to this article as 3-minute mp3 file, taken from my UpBeet Gardener radio show series. Subscribe to my podcast feed (so you can open the attachment below) or simply click here to hear the mp3. Otherwise, keep reading...
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Okay, sounds a stretch, yet it's not far from the truth: You WILL save money--you'll learn how in the next paragraph--and if you spend more time in the garden you WILL lose weight. Now follow my reasoning here:

Growing your own seedlings helps you save money. Let's look at salad greens: A packet of lettuce seeds costs about $2.00, the same as one head of lettuce. That same packet of seeds will give you about 300 heads of lettuce. Thus, a $2.00 packet of seeds produces $600 dollars worth of salad greens.

Ah, about losing that weight: Getting out in the yard and doing things like turning soil, bending over to pull weeds, and moving the wheelbarrow into position, can only help you lose weight. Your muscles might complain at first, but your abs and back will be stronger and you'll be less prone to injuries overall.

Granted, I'm talking mostly vegetables here, but starting your own herbs and flowers is just as satisfying. Sally, in Florida, maintains a flower garden. Sure, she enjoys the bright yellow, orange and red blossoms. But so does everyone who walks or drives by her house. Small things that make a big difference.

Are you ready to save money and lose weight? Send me an email (mygarden@alaska.net) if you have any questions, OK?