Grounding In Nature Through Food Preservation
- Nikki Green
- Aug 6
- 7 min read
Finding Peace in the Harvest
Staying grounded is something we’ve all heard about and know is important for our health. But how can preserving your garden harvest actually help you stay grounded in nature?
I’m so glad you’re here reading this, because my goal is to help people find the connection between their garden and their health — and this is a great example of how that can happen. I personally use this practice to stay in tune and connected to nature, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands. When I feel sad, mad, or even overly excited, sometimes I just need to reconnect and feel complete.
I love walking through my garden barefoot. As soon as I enter that space, I kick off my shoes, feel the ground beneath my feet, take a deep breath, and find peace. Walking through my garden and harvesting the produce I’ve worked all season to grow is such an amazing and fulfilling feeling.
It’s August now, and this time of year is filled with tasks and chores that keep you running in every direction. It can be a season of complete burnout. It took me a while to recognize it, but I started to slow down and notice every action, every blessing, and every moment I have in my garden. This has become a ritual — one that helps me stay connected to the earth, find peace in my harvest, and recognize the blessing in preserving what I’ve grown.
The Power of Presence: Why We Need to Ground Ourselves
Late summer can sneak up on you in the most chaotic way. The garden is in full swing, kids are going back to school, schedules shift, and everything feels like it needs your attention all at once. There’s this emotional and mental overstimulation that comes with August — you’re trying to keep up with the garden, preserve what’s coming in, and manage the rest of your life too. It’s a lot.
I’ve had moments where I felt like I was being pulled in every direction, running from one task to the next, and completely forgetting to breathe. That’s when I know I need to stop and ground myself. Not later — but right then and there. Grounding isn’t just about being still. It’s about getting back into your body, noticing your breath, and reconnecting with what matters most.
One of the simplest ways I do this is by stepping outside barefoot. Just that — toes in the dirt, sun on my skin, and a few deep breaths with the scent of basil or lemon balm nearby — it instantly calms my nervous system. Sometimes I’ll pause by a garden bed, press my hands into the soil, and just sit with the plants for a minute. It doesn’t need to be some big, drawn-out practice. It's the little, quiet moments that bring me back.
Daily harvest walks have also become one of my favorite grounding rituals. I don’t go out there with a huge to-do list — I just walk, observe, and gently harvest what’s ready. I notice the color of the peppers, the way the tomatoes are starting to split if I wait too long, or how the bees are still dancing around the flowers. These walks aren’t just about the food — they’re about being present.
When life feels heavy or rushed, nature is always there to hold us — we just have to slow down enough to feel it. Grounding through the garden is one of the most beautiful ways I’ve found to come back to myself. Try it. Kick off your shoes, run your hands through the leaves, breathe deep, and just be — you’ll be amazed at how fast peace returns.
Harvest Time = Healing Time
When I walk through my garden and collect the food that’s ripe and ready, it’s so much more than gathering food for my family and me. Yes, harvesting is an important part of gardening — it’s the result of all our hard work. But there’s something deeper for me in the act of harvesting. It’s an experience I feel truly blessed to be part of. When we take the time to really appreciate this moment, it can feel almost spiritual.
Something as simple as planting a seed, nurturing that little sprout, and watching it grow into something abundant — that process alone brings a sense of peace. But being in the presence of that abundance, knowing that your hands helped it grow, is where the real magic happens.
My favorite times to harvest aren’t just about flavor (although picking at the right time sure helps with that too). I harvest early in the morning, when the sun is just starting to peek over the trees and the dew still kisses the leaves. It’s quiet. Peaceful. It’s become part of my morning ritual — a slow start to the day that sets the tone for everything else.
Sometimes I’ll go out in the evening, just before the sun sets, when everything is winding down. The air is soft, the birds are quieter, and it feels like the whole garden is preparing for rest. That’s my evening harvest ritual — a way to slow down and reset before I go into rest mode myself.
Just don’t forget your harvest basket — or you’ll end up loading down the front of your shirt with all that abundance. Guilty! 😅
These little routines help keep me present and calm. They bring a deep appreciation for all the hard work — not just mine, but the work of nature, the sun, the rain, and the soil — that went into growing this food. It’s humbling. And it’s healing.
Food Preservation as a Mindful Practice
Now, I know what you’re thinking — how on earth can preserving the harvest I just picked from the garden be a mindfulpractice? Well, I’m here to tell you that it absolutely can be. There is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than being able to preserve your garden’s bounty and enjoy it all year long. I look at my rows of colorful jars — filled with tomatoes, jams, pickles, or dried herbs — as little trophies. Each one represents time, love, and care. And I get to enjoy them every single day.
Preserving food has also become a form of stress relief and self-care for me. Yep, I said it. Just like pulling weeds can be oddly therapeutic, so can the rhythmic motions of washing, chopping, peeling, and packing your garden goodies into jars or freezer bags. There’s something about the repetitive process — whether you’re freezing, fermenting, or dehydrating — that helps quiet the noise in your mind. It keeps your hands busy and your thoughts calm, and you’re working toward a meaningful goal.
I’ll be honest: when I first started preserving, I was so nervous. I was worried I’d mess it up, do it wrong, or waste what I had worked so hard to grow. But the more I tried, the more confidence I gained. I learned through doing. And now, preserving tomatoes for sauce, freezing basil for winter pesto, or drying my herbs for tea isn’t just something I do for convenience — it’s something that blesses my family and brings me peace.
I truly believe that with any task, your mindset is everything. God tells us to find joy in our work and be glad in the moments we’re given. When you approach these simple but deeply rewarding acts with a heart of gratitude, they become more than chores. They become little rituals of self-care, nourishment, and service.
So yes, food preservation can be mindful. It can be healing. And it can be one of the most grounding things you do for yourself and your family. When your shelves start to fill with your garden’s goodness, you’ll feel it too — that sense of calm, confidence, and purpose that comes from feeding your home with your own two hands.
Your August Rituals: Ideas to Try
Now that we’re deep into August, you might be feeling the fullness of the season — and maybe even a little bit of burnout. But this can also be a beautiful time to create simple rituals that bring calm, balance, and a deeper connection to your garden and yourself. These don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, the simpler they are, the more powerful they tend to be.
Here are a few grounding practices that I’ve found helpful — and you might enjoy trying too:
10-Minute Barefoot Garden Walk
Start or end your day with a short, intentional walk through your garden. Kick off your shoes, breathe deep, and let your senses guide you. Listen to the bees, feel the textures of the leaves, and just be in the space you’ve created.
Morning Herbal Tea from the Garden
Pick a few sprigs of fresh mint, lemon balm, or chamomile and steep them in hot water. This simple act can become a peaceful morning moment that nourishes both your body and mind.
Small-Batch Freezer Jam or Sauce
Got extra berries or tomatoes piling up? Don’t stress — just make a small batch of jam or sauce. No need for a full canning setup. Put on some music, take your time, and let the process be part of your self-care routine.
Sunday Preservation Hour
Set aside one hour each Sunday to preserve just a little of what you’ve harvested that week — maybe drying herbs, blanching veggies for the freezer, or infusing vinegar with herbs. Turn it into your own little ritual of reflection and gratitude.
These small habits may seem meaningless, but they have a big impact. When we take the time to be present with what we’ve grown and really enjoy the process, it changes how we experience the season.
What could your August ritual be? Maybe it’s something I mentioned, or maybe it’s something all your own. Whatever it looks like, I hope you give yourself the space to find it — and let it ground you in the abundance and peace that this season has to offer.
Rooted in Rhythm
August may be full, but it doesn’t have to be frantic. This time of year is rich with opportunity — not just to harvest food, but to harvest peace, presence, and purpose. From barefoot garden walks to simmering sauces on the stove, each small act is a chance to ground ourselves and reconnect to what really matters.
I hope you feel encouraged to slow down, savor your harvests, and create little rituals that support your well-being. Whether it’s brewing a simple cup of garden tea, setting aside a Sunday hour to preserve what you’ve grown, or simply walking through your garden with gratitude — these moments are more than habits. They are healing.
So as you move through this busy season, I invite you to find your own rhythm. Let your garden be your teacher, your sanctuary, and your reminder that growth takes time — and that there is beauty in every stage of the journey.
What’s one ritual you’re adding into your August to help you stay grounded? I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram with your favorite mindful garden moment.
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