This initiative, called theGrowing Kindness Project, encourages gardeners to cultivate kindness and propagate generosity by gifting bouquets.
It started with just Kitchen growing and giving as many flowers as she could.
Theres something really powerful about our connection to flowers," says Kitchen.
Credit:Rylea Foehl / Growing Kindness Project
“Theres something about it that speaks to our souls.
Tapping into that power is something anyone with a little growing space can do.
While she loved being home with them, she says it left a big hole in her social life.
Credit:Ryleah Foelh/ Growing Kindness Project
“It was very fulfilling but isolating,” she says.
She began gardening while her kids were sleeping, starting off with a row ofsweet peas.
One day, Kitchen decided to bring some blooms to a local long-term-care center.
Credit:Ryleah Foelh / Growing Kindness Project
The kids helped tote the flowers in a Radio Flyer wagon using baby food jars as vases.
Flowers became my catalyst to community, she says.
It gave me the courage to introduce myself and the kids.
She recalls a time a long-term care resident came over and Kitchen apologized that she was out of vases.
Thats really whats at the heart of what were doing.
The next summer, she opened her 14-acre micro-farm near Conway, Washington, to the public.
She began giving awaydahlia tubersto anyone who would agree to give at least one bouquet away.
Thats really whats at the heart of what were doing.
The Growing Kindness organization was formalized and received 501c3 status in 2020which turned out to be perfect timing.
It was ironic how much it would be needed that year, Kitchen says.
So many people found solace in gardening.
So many did door drops to neighbors or food banks, and first responders.
It was really incredible, especially during such a challenging time.
For example, a growing guide and bouquet tags are available for free download on the website.
Currently, members range from high-school students to gardeners in their 80s.
Her heart for giving in the face of an experience so depleting was just an absolute inspiration.
In addition, Bells mother has become part of the team and continues to give flowers in her honor.
She had no idea who would give her flowers just because.
Ganjana signed up for the program and was inspired togrow her first garden, says Kitchen.
Giving bouquets helped her through a period of near-crippling social anxiety, Kitchen says.
She found giving bouquets on her errands, whether to the doctors office or the market, empowered her.
Even a single bed ofproductive annual plantswill do.
Here are some ideas to get started:
