Five Reasons to Pick Up Gardening
There’s something so peaceful, so beautiful about gardening, about the act of popping on gloves and a sun hat and pushing your hands deep into the earth to bring forth new life. It’s also, according to honest-to-god doctors, an activity that is rife with health benefits! In case you’re not yet convinced, here are five reasons you should pick up gardening this summer…
Be One With Nature
Let’s start with the no brainer, gardening gets you off the couch and out in the sun — or the long-sleeved shirt and hat constructed shade, for the sunburn-susceptible among us. Like I said before, there’s something to be said for the act of getting your hands dirty in the great outdoors. It’s a grounding (pun intended) activity, that connects you to the flora that coexist alongside us. Like birding, gardening helps us understand and identify plant life that we otherwise might not notice. The purple blossoms in your neighbor's yard aren’t just purple flowers, they’re lilacs. Some plants thrive in the shade, others in the sun. Take pride not only in bringing things to life, but in forming a deep connection to the world around you.
Eat Better, and For Free
We! Love! Free! Food! Well, not completely free — you of course have to buy seeds and may need other supplies — but there’s nothing like fresh garden vegetables and herbs that, if well cared for, can save you hundreds of dollars in grocery expenses a year. From there the math gets even simpler: a backyard vegetable garden = easy access to healthy food = healthier you! And it’s not just about the money or the healthy eating, it’s about how much better fruits and vegetables taste when they’re fresh from the earth, with no pesticides or negative environmental impact. It’s about how much better food tastes when you’re growing it yourself! Break out the recipe book and get cookin’!
Breathe Better, Reduce Stress
According to some in the medical community, the outdoor component of gardening “helps to clear out the lungs, improves digestion, improves immune response and increases oxygen levels in the blood.” The physical activity associated with gardening is good for heart health, while the emotional gratification you get from growing food and flowers and from the routine, relaxing activities of gardening has been shown to relieve stress. Feeling anxious? Get outside and get your hands dirty! It’s just you and the plants and the sweet, sweet bees.
Build Community
If you’re reading this and thinking “how can I garden if I don’t have a yard” do not stress! There are lots of different ways to get your gardening fix. A quick solution is to cultivate house plants or a window or fire escape garden, but my personal recommendation is to consider renting or signing up for a community garden plot. Community gardens are public outdoor clusters of garden plots where neighborhood members can come together to plant vegetables and flowers alongside one another. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and trade homegrown food, recipes, and gardening tricks, and is a great opportunity to be social while getting your gardening done. Community gardens boost your health, relieve stress, connect you to nature, and connect you to your community — what’s not to love?
Save the Bees
Okay, maybe this one is just me, but gardening is good for bees, and we desperately need to protect bees! Gardens provide the pollen and other nutrients that bees need to survive. Deforestation and construction are reducing environments where bees can thrive. Planting a garden is kind of like building a grocery store for bees. In return, the bees pollinate your flowers and help them thrive. You can even plant a “bee garden” with specific, bee-friendly plants. It’s a win-win scenario! Save the bees!!