Nami Shrestha
Nepalese Canadian Society of Edmonton (NECASE), President 2024/2025
Everyone says gardening supports mental well-being, but I never truly believed it—until I experienced it myself. This journey began during COVID-19, around the same time my family and I moved into a new home. For the first time in my life, I started digging in the soil. I bought biodegradable seed-starting cups that could be planted directly into the ground and began growing seedlings. I watched YouTube videos, bought a few gardening books, and slowly learned along the way.
I began with fava beans—a childhood favorite rarely found here—along with beans and zucchini, known to thrive happily in Canada. Soon, my gardening moved outdoors, and my husband and I built two small 2×2 garden beds with purchased soil. That first year was incredible; working from home, I spent my free time in the garden, discovering a surprising source of calm, balance, and mental well-being.
Being deeply rooted in community work, I began to wonder: why not grow together—both people and plants? I started sharing my garden and the joy it brought me through a small social media platform. Soon, that joy blossomed into a vibrant community of friends, all eager to join a shared journey rooted in soil, connection, and growth.
In 2021, through the Nepalese Canadian Society of Alberta (NECASE), we took a leap and officially launched our very first gardening program—a lively seed exchange event. NECASE kindly provided the seeds, and we invited members of our community to join. To our delight, both men and women showed up with curiosity and enthusiasm, ready to dig in and grow something together. The day was filled with laughter, conversation, and the simple joy of planting. NECASE also generously sponsored food, which brought everyone together around the table as warmly as we were brought together by the soil.
Encouraged by this success, we soon organized a harvest-sharing program. Everyone brought the fruits of their labor—the vegetables they had nurtured from tiny seeds into flourishing plants. But it wasn’t just about the food. As we shared our harvest, we shared ideas—about growing more, staying active, finding happiness in the small moments, and nurturing our well-being through the long, bright Canadian summer. What began as a simple gardening program blossomed into a celebration of community, growth, and connection.
This initiative has continued to grow over the years. As we near the end of December 2025, we have been consistently running a variety of gardening programs, with this year’s efforts supported by the Government of Canada to promote the well-being of seniors and the wider community. On a personal note, my deep freezer is now brimming with harvested tomatoes—a small, joyful reminder of the season’s abundance.
Gardening has taught me that healing can come from the soil—through connection, movement, and shared purpose. So, keep gardening. Grow your vegetables. Stay physically active and mentally healthy—together.
Sharing Some Pictures Of My Homegrown Vegetables
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