Plants provide plenty to be thankful for

By By Steve Strong / extension service horticulture agent
Nov. 26, 2003
Regular readers of this news column have come to expect a no frills format composed mainly of how-to information for the home gardener.
Most folks simply want technical horticultural information translated into plain talk, without all of the touchy-feely philosophy that so many of today's garden writers aspire to.
This time of year is special, though, and I couldn't help being a little bit sentimental about Thanksgiving and the contributions that countless plants make to our daily lives. Everyone remembers the history lessons of the Pilgrims and their utter dependence upon the cultivating skills their Native American hosts, but with the modern comforts of weekly grocery store visits it's easy to overlook the value of agriculture to our great country's existence.
How blessed to live in a time where even though families do not have to count on growing their own food for daily survival, they still have the freedom and space to garden if they so desire. The holidays provide us with an excellent chance to pause and reflect on how much we still count on plants for a multitude of uses, and how thankful we should all be for the opportunity to experience the growing world around us.
After all, plants provide much more than just food to fill our bellies. Don't forget about the essential oxygen supply that humans and all other animals require daily, a source that is thankfully recycled by plants from the waste by-product of carbon dioxide that we exhale. Even the lowly turf grass people tread upon performs this function, at a rate of 25,000 square feet required to produce a daily oxygen supply for one person.
Trees and shrubs offer all kinds of animals protection from inclement weather, and provide our homes with much needed insulation against the summer sun's rays. Also frequently used as a windbreak against freezing wintry breezes, the average large shade tree can easily supply a household with up to $50,000 in energy savings during its lifetime.
Since people seldom count on ornamental plants for a food source, we often forget about the considerable amount of fruit and seeds they also produce to support wildlife. With natural habitats shrinking fast due to urbanized land development, it becomes increasingly vital to plant varieties that offer food and shelter for migratory birds, butterflies, and other needy species.
Last but not least, consider the vast aesthetic value that the plant world contributes. Not only does proper landscaping increase private property values, but just imagine what renowned artists such as Monet and Van Gogh might have resorted to without the inspiration of sunflowers and other plants.
That's a lot to be thankful for, indeed, but do not forget the Creator who devised the incredible amount of diversity found in various plant species. The built-in capability of living things to adapt to changing environments is immense, and regardless of what divine faith you follow, it is obvious that the miracles found in plants and the food chain they support is no accident.
There is nothing wrong with embracing the fervor of the holiday season, as radio stations and department stores flood the airwaves with favorite tunes to inspire the spirit of Christmas merchandising (and giving). It would be a shame, however, if we failed to recognize from whom all the blessings flow, and how fortunate we are to possess the cognitive awareness to give thanks where it is certainly due.
Here's hoping you and your loved ones have a Happy Thanksgiving. Never stop growing.