This weekend, I walked into the most amazing scene: my 37-week pregnant wife and my dad painting a tree with three owls for our baby boy’s nursery.
And yes, I said 37 weeks. We are getting closer now. Everything is under control. I’m definitely not panicking. (heavy breathing).
While they painted, my mom and I were outside getting our hands dirty in the garden.
I’ve loved plants since I was a kid—balcony pots, windowsill herbs, any bit of green I could nurture. But now that we’ve moved into our new home in San Diego with half an acre, I finally had the space to build the garden I’ve always dreamed of. My mom, the OG gardener, flew in to help me get it started.
How We Built It (Highs, Lows & Fungus Gnats 🙃)
Clear the land. A few weeks ago, I carved out a 25 × 11 ft plot for raised beds and a mini orchard. Seven fruit trees—plum, peach, persimmon, fig, orange, lemon, and lime—are on the way.
Prep the land. Rock and root removal, leveling the dirt, exhaustion. This took about a week. Worth it.
Build the beds. Filled with compost, cardboard, sticks, soil, and irrigation. Had some help from our gardener with this one.
Plant time! At Walter Anderson Nursery (San Diegan’s know it), we loaded up on seedlings of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, basil, beans, squash, and more.
Celebrate. Slept like garden heroes.
Then… panic. The next morning: fungus gnats. Everywhere. Googled. ChatGPT’d. Panicked again. Tried cinnamon and chamomile—no luck. Tonight: hydrogen peroxide in the soil. Send tips, garden friends.
Even with the pests, it’s been a blast. My sore back confirms gardening is serious exercise, and working alongside my mom while my wife paints the nursery reminded me: this is family bonding at its best.
Why Gardening Is a Health Superpower
In the world’s “Blue Zones”—Okinawa, Sardinia, Nicoya, Icaria, and Loma Linda—gardening is part of daily life. It’s movement, nourishment, and purpose rolled into one. Research backs it up:
Brain protection. A 16-year study of 2,800+ adults found daily gardening was associated with a significantly reduced risk of dementia.
Better mental health. A meta-analysis of 22 studies found gardening may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while boosting life satisfaction.
Heart health. In a 12-year study of nearly 4,000 older adults, daily gardening was tied to a 27% lower risk of heart attack or stroke.
Vitamin D & nutrition. Gardening boosts sun exposure and provides fresh, nutrient-rich produce.
Starting or Expanding Your Garden
If you have space: Pick a sunny spot, enrich your soil, and start with forgiving crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and beans.
If you’re limited: Plant basil, mint, and oregano in pots. Pothos and snake plants are great houseplants too (just don’t eat them).
Start small and grow!
Final Thoughts
This week reminded me why I love gardening: it’s exercise, therapy, creativity, and connection all in one. Many of my patients also find gardening deeply healing.
If you’ve battled fungus gnats, or if you’re growing something exciting right now, drop a comment. I’d love to learn from you and see what’s thriving in your world.
Wishing you dirt under your fingernails and a restful sleep tonight!
P.S. If you or someone you know lives in California or Florida and is looking for a psychiatrist who helps medical professionals and high-performers find work-life balance, and protect their mental health, I’m your guy! Feel free to set up a free consultation call with me here. Have a wonderful week!🌱
—Dr. Jake Goodman
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Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content is based on evidence-supported research and personal experience, and is not intended to replace professional medical care. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning new treatments or making changes to your health routine. This newsletter does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, I make no guarantees as to the completeness or accuracy of the information presented. Content is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. Please note, submitting the intake form for my practice does not guarantee a response from our office. Completion of this form does not establish a client–patient relationship. I will respond to all qualified inquiries as promptly as possible.
My mother may she rest in peace tried to get me into gardening. As a old adult I said heck naw. Now I think I'm ready to try. I have a mowed yard but need/want plants with flowers, veggies or something. I need to figure out how to garden when you ignored all that a gardener tried to tell you. :)
Your baby's nursery looks beautiful. I love the tree and owls are my favorite. Good luck with your garden. While they are alot of work, they are also very rewarding. Unfortunately we have a raccoon problem in our area so I can't have a vegetable garden. I tried a pot of cherry tomatoes a couple years ago but the racoons found my cherry tomatoes as soon as soon as some ripe ones appeared. We tried to net the plants but they are strong and just kept going after them. It looks like you have some sturdy raised beds that should help retain your produce. Enjoy!