Elementary student finds joy in gardening

Amani Wagner proudly displays the cantaloupe she grew. {Contributed photo}

For Thomasville resident Amani Wagner gardening is much more than just planting and pulling crops out of the ground. It’s a way for her to share some goodness with her family.

Wagner got her start as a gardener when she asked her grandfather if she could plant a garden at his house because he didn’t have one. Receiving a yes from him, she began to plan her next steps. Accompanying her father to the store, Amani recalled scouring the shelves for seeds, soil and tools so they could begin.

In explaining the process from start to finish, Amani summarized it as digging a little hole, dropping in a seed, putting manure on top, watering the garden and letting it sit “so it can get some sunlight.” When she is unable to tend to it, her “Paw Paw Manwell” handles things in her absence.

“It’s pretty fun and we have tons of things like jalapenos, tomatoes, cantaloupe and corn.”

Amani is all smiles holding a zucchini and butternut squash from her garden. {Contributed photo}

According to her father, Bobby, her love for growing produce has increased during the last year.

“She has always been fascinated by gardening. However, during the pandemic, she took it upon herself to begin reading about it. I decided to have a weekly science lesson about seed germination and how people have become too dependent on grocery stores. I spent most of my summers in the country and taught her everything I’ve learned. She understands when things should be planted, harvested and cooked.”

Additionally, Amani can advise you on when certain fruits and vegetables should be planted. In the fall, she will be planting greens, cucumbers and zucchini. This summer she grew tomatoes and peppers. The later arrived in abundance.

“I got tons of peppers because they grow fast. Every time I pick them, two days later there’s a bunch more.”

With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, she’s planning to supply her family with all the greens for their meals just like she did in 2020. Amani expressed that she likes being able to give her family “stuff.” Before wrapping things up, the young horticulturalist also shared why she thinks people should plant their own gardens.

“They won’t have to spend their money as much. They could just keep getting food from the garden.”