How Gardening Fosters a Healthier Lifestyle

 

A garden can be a beautiful addition to your yard, adding to your property's aesthetic and improving your home's curb appeal. However, you might be surprised to learn that gardening can also positively impact your physical health and boost your mental well-being. If planting and nurturing a garden appeals to you, here's everything you need to know to get started, presented below by Nature Scientist.

 

How Can You Get Started?

 

To begin, survey your property to find the best space for a garden. Ideally, you want a parcel of land that receives at least three to six hours of sunlight each day. MasterClass notes that you may also want to check the soil's pH level and make any necessary adjustments. If your soil is too acidic, ground limestone or wood ash can make it more alkaline. If your soil is overly alkaline, you can lower the pH with an acidic fertilizer, sulfur compounds, or organic matter.

 

Next, acquire the basic equipment, such as watering equipment, gardening gloves, shovel, rake, and hoe. Then, clear the land of weeds and debris, add extra soil, if needed, and consider fencing your plot to prevent pests from eating your garden.

 

When determining what to grow, take into account the climate zone where you live, the conditions of your soil, and your personal preferences. Once you have a plan, it's time to plant your seeds. There are plenty of helpful videos to get you started, but if you need additional help, an online gardening course can guide you throughout the process, from planting to tending to harvesting.

 

What Health Benefits Does Gardening Provide?

 

Gardening takes place in the great outdoors, and being in nature can be very therapeutic for your health. In fact, there is evidence that being around plants can reduce both stress and anxiety, while interacting with nature improves your mood and strengthens your overall mental well-being. 

 

Moreover, The American Society of Landscape Architects shows that nature provides health advantages for a myriad of other conditions, including dementia, ADHD, asthma, diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular health, cognition, and depression. And, it doesn't end there. Gardening provides many other positive side effects, such as:

 

• An opportunity to create a plan and turn it into a reality
• Time to slow down, live in the moment and feel more mindful
• An excuse to escape the stresses of daily life and refuel for the rest of the day
• Physical activity to improve your strength and cardiovascular health
• Healthy exposure to sunlight and vitamin D
• Increased respect and gratitude for nature

Are There Other Advantages?

In addition to the health benefits provided by the gardening process itself, there is an added advantage that comes directly from the fruits of your labor. The foods you grow in your garden can contribute to a healthier diet, which in turn, can improve your health.

 

For example, if hunger strikes between meals, your garden can provide healthy options to tide you over until the next meal. So, you can grab a few homegrown carrots for a snack rather than junk food, such as salty chips or sugary cookies. The same principle applies to meals. Since homegrown foods are extremely healthy, integrating them into your diet boosts your daily nutritional intake and improves your health.

 

Growing a Business

 

Taking up gardening can do more than just benefit your health; it can also plant the seed for a flourishing business. As your skills and passion grow, you might find yourself delving into specialized areas like beekeeping or worm farming, both of which are not only beneficial for your garden's ecosystem but can also become profitable ventures. Beekeeping provides the dual benefits of pollination for a robust garden and the production of honey, while worm farming creates rich compost that can enhance soil quality. Additionally, selling your garden's produce at your local farmers' market can turn your hobby into a source of income.

 

Gardening with Native Plants

 

Native plants are well-adapted to the local environment, which means they require less maintenance, water, and fewer pesticides, reducing your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Additionally, these plants support local ecosystems and biodiversity, creating a healthier and more balanced garden environment. Gardening with native species can also provide a sense of connection to your local natural heritage, contributing to mental well-being. By choosing native plants, you not only make gardening more sustainable and eco-friendly, but you also create a space that is beneficial for both personal health and the environment.

 

Growing your own garden provides a myriad of benefits for your health, the environment, and your community. Not only does the process of gardening offer health benefits, but the fruits of your labor are also nutritious, beautiful, and beneficial to your property. What’s more, you could even monetize your hobby into a business. So get a game plan together, gather your supplies, and start gardening!

 

Nature Scientist is here to excite and inform future generations. Questions? Feel free to email akshaypn1999@gmail.com.

Author        

-EVA BENOIT-