That's the sound of my nephew and roommate Akshay with a shovel.

I'm in my backyard and I'm digging holes to plant trees.

I'm digging five gallon holes each six feet apart.

And why are you doing this?

Because my auntie told me to.

I'm Artheonti, also known as Arthe Shahane and PR contributor.

My nephew is technically correct.

Though the other reason he's digging, we are testing drainage.

If water drains from the ground too quickly, like it does at a sandy beach,

anything we plant could die from dehydration.

And if water takes too long, plant stround.

Do you want a wider?

Yeah, I think if you go a little wider.

My yard used to be a junk yard, a tragic mix of rubble, tires, pipes, chew toys, glass shards.

It felt hopeless. But then COVID-19 changed my perspective.

I was standing on a long line to get into the grocery store and wondered,

why have I let all this dirt and sunlight and water go to waste?

While it's impossible for me or you to grow everything we eat,

it's not a bad time to get started on something.

And gardening is great for your health too, according to Dr. Rupa Mariah.

Planting a garden right now, it's a way to connect to something immediate here and now and watch it grow.

It's got a lot of great help benefits. People are outside.

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