I guess you could say I’m a halfling in all but name. I am very fond of good food, cheerful gatherings, and green, growing things. Also, I’m only five foot three. When I was young, I lived on a mountain, free to roam barefoot, explore abandoned iron ore mines, and discover hidden treasures of slag (some of which I still have). Life took a turn, however, when I had to move to the city, surrounded by endless suburbs, tall buildings, and ever-present traffic. I hated it. Even before I hit the double digits, I swore to myself I’d make it back to someplace green one day.

That promise took decades to fulfill. During those long, greenless years, I did everything in my power to teach myself how to grow things, even when all I had were some upcycled plastic pots, dollar store seeds, and a tiny apartment balcony. If I couldn’t move to the green places, I’d grow as many plants as I could, and I even took a job on an organic farm to broaden my knowledge.

When I finally had the ability to move into a house with a backyard, I was overwhelmed with gardening possibilities. I immediately started digging my first gardens. I ran 100% on trial and error. I had no clue how to grow half of the seeds I started. I can’t tell you how many times I had to look up the plants I’d planted because I’d forgotten what I’d planted, or how many times I had to research how and when to harvest crops.

However, despite all the growing I was doing, I hadn’t yet learned the hardest lessons, the ones that would bump me up to Samwise Gamgee status. That coveted experience came when I learned two valuable lessons: there is no perfect garden, and patience is indeed a virtue. What those boil down to is that age-old wise saying, “In acceptance lieth peace.”

Peace is what makes a happy Hobbit, and it is a peaceful Shire that captivates our hearts whenever we picture it in our minds. That simple life, which is no bad thing to celebrate, only comes about through acquiring peace. Gardening, believe it or not, will teach you that in spades.

Audrey Hepburn’s quote, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow,” is one of my favorites, and it pertains to gaining that Shire-like peace. It takes a long time to grow something, even longer to see it flower and fruit. That time lengthens even more if you start something by seed. Many times, the plant fails, its success completely out of your control. When you come to grips with the reality that there is no perfect garden, you’re on your way towards gaining that Gamgee XP.

When I learned to accept those truths, my gardens transformed from a place of stress to a place of peace. Now, whenever I am feeling anxious, I walk through or tend my gardens to calm myself. Something else happened too. Content with the knowledge that some things would fail and others succeed, I pushed forward with my learning. I began harvesting seeds from the plants I grew and propagating my own. I took pleasure in doing things the long way, and I am a much healthier person for doing so.

My gardens also underwent their own transformation. Echoing my own path to peace, they too grew greener and more productive. What was a baren wasteland of weeds is now alive and bright with songbirds and pollinators. My property has become my own little slice of the Shire, and I want nothing more than to teach others how to obtain their own slice.

To garden like a Hobbit, you must first master the art of finding peace. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you fail. Remember that good things may take a long time to achieve but are always worth it in the end. Delight in the beauty of a simple life.