We had this useless patch of grass that mocked us every summer. It sucked water, time, and money—and gave nothing back. So we ripped it out. Because sometimes you need to plant healing, not just herbs.

We Ripped Up the Grass and Planted Healing

Backyard farming sounds quaint, like something from a children’s book. But for us, it started as a survival strategy—a reclaiming of space and soul.

Steve and I stared out at this neglected 10×20 patch of grass in our backyard for years, always vowing to “do something with it someday.” That “someday” came with a cancer diagnosis in 2018. Suddenly, that neglected patch became sacred ground. The kind where hope might grow.

We weren’t seasoned farmers. We were book-reading, trial-and-error dreamers. Our early 2019 plan? Transform that thirsty grass into something life-giving. But life detoured us—unexpectedly moving out of our house for six weeks. That’s when our people showed up. Our community rallied to build what we now call the #LoveWins Garden.

Mother’s Day weekend, our kids filled the garden beds with compost, seeds, and hope. Every morning now starts with coffee and awe—walking the rows of lettuce, kale, and towering dahlias whispering, “Look what we did.”

Our little plot includes two 2x4s, four 4x4s, and two 4×8 in-ground beds—laid right on top of the grass with nothing but cardboard underneath. We’ve added potato towers, pumpkins, and a dahlia corner that feels like a small parade every time it blooms.

This wasn’t just about organic food. This was about organic joy. About knowing where your healing comes from. About letting your kids get their hands dirty in something that doesn’t demand perfection.

Our garden’s not fancy. Our watering setup is amateur hour: one oscillating sprinkler on a timer and two soaker hoses that run like clockwork. But it works. And it’s taught us that abundance doesn’t always come from expertise—it comes from intention.

Yes, backyard farming saves money, improves your meals, and reduces your footprint. But the real return? It gives you something to believe in when your body’s fighting a battle. It gives you a moment of magic in your morning. It teaches your kids resilience, one seed at a time.

Next year? Maybe chickens. But for now, we’ll just keep showing up with our coffee, our compost, and our wonder.

• Coming soon: Our favorite backyard garden resources and seed catalogs!
• For more about healing in the home: Create Home Posts