Whether you are a passionate or reluctant gardener, there are lots of reasons why getting out in the garden is good for you.
Health Benefits
Gardening is good for your mental and physical wellbeing . It’s outdoor exercise as well as the chance to take some time out for yourself, away from the stresses of modern life. According to Very Well Health, on average, people who continue to exercise later in life live up to 2.5 times longer than those who don’t.
Gardening is:
• Stress Relief
• A physical work out
• A green diet
• An immunity booster (direct exposure to light dirt)
• A mood booster (soil contains natural antidepressants in the form of friendly bacteria)
Social Benefits
Turn the television off and unglue your phone from your hand (although there are some good apps for plant identification that are useful to have on your phone!) Get the whole family involved in the garden, spend time with your partner and catch up properly. Why not invite friends over and spend time in your garden – from weekend BBQs to children’s play dates. You could invest in a chimera or fire pit to extend the amount of time you spend in your garden. Stay out later on chillier evenings and enjoy your garden from May – October not just for the short summer months.
Play
Remember when you used to climb trees, camp out in makeshift dens and pretend to be Robin Hood (just me?) why not bring some of this magic back into your life through your garden. You could leave one area of your garden to go “wild” by planting wildflowers to attract pollinators, creating a rockery with hardy alpines that will encourage nature (and fairies of course!).
Reap what you sow
It might sound obvious but having somewhere beautiful to come home to is important – even better if you can say you have created it. At this time of year don’t spend money going out at weekends, invite friends over for a BBQ and show off your garden proudly.
Environmental Benefits
There has been a lot of media coverage recently about the dwindling numbers of insects due to the destruction of their natural habitats as well as an over use of pesticides. Planting flowers to attract pollinators, trees & shrubs to create shelter and leaving an area of your garden “wild” will make a difference. Children especially will love this, keep a log of insects and birds that set up home in your garden. You might not think that you alone will have an impact but it’s a good place to start.
• Reduce waste – turn food scraps into compost
• Plants and trees produce oxygen – so plant more
• Plants attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies whose populations are currently in a worrying decline
Financial Benefits
• Increase your property value – creating a beautiful garden is never going to be a waste of money. A beautiful garden is a long-term investment and a huge selling point when it comes to marketing your house. So, when you are ready for your next project don’t dismay, someone is going to love that garden just as much as you did.
• Sustainability – Grow your own edibles
• Entertain at home and save money on going out at the weekends
