Who knew that growing potatoes in flower pots could be so satisfying? This is something that I discovered during my pandemic gardening adventures. 

It was such an odd summer. Now summer is ending, but not the odd. Many of us have tried things that we would never attempt in the Before Times – pandemic projects like baking sourdough bread, sewing masks, and painting. Home improvement stores have experienced a surge in sales as people search for ways to transform living spaces into something homier or more functional.

Some projects were born from scarcity. Too bad you can’t grow Clorox wipes or paper towels! Others were an attempt at preserving sanity during tedious days of sheltering in place.

One day, I discovered that some little potatoes in the pantry had sprouted, turning them into alien beings. I decide to put them to better use than as compost.

First, I cut each potato into pieces, one sprout per piece, and let them dry for a few days in my garden window. Next, I planted them sprout sides up in big flower posts with loose rich soil. Add water, and soon, we had luxurious greenery. 

When the greenery yellowed and started to die back, we stopped watering; once the soil had dried a bit, we harvested.

Digging in soil is a peaceful pursuit. You can’t worry about the state of the world when you are pulling luscious little orbs from the earth like a gardening magician.

I typically find peace in my garden. It is a place in which to quiet my mind and focus on things for which I am thankful. Gratitude is a sure-fire path to peace.

Gardening can produce peace. Now I know potatoes can, too.