The Joys of Gardening

As we come towards the end of May, Summer starts to burst out around us and one of the joys of this time of the year is right on our doorstep! For those lucky enough to have a garden, Summer brings the promise of long days spent outdoors without having to travel! And while for many the garden is a place for BBQs, sunbathing or falling asleep, for many others the garden is the place to spend time on one of life’s greatest hobbies – the joys of gardening!

What could be more satisfying than spending time in a garden that you yourself have created. Many people love to get their hands dirty taking up gardening and put the effort in to grow their own garden. Whether it is plants, flowers, vegetables or herbs, growing and cultivating plants brings many rewards to everyone who puts the time in to tend their garden. We take a look at 7 benefits of getting out in the garden and rooting around in the soil!

The Joys of Gardening

Gardening is meditative

Gardening is the perfect opportunity to experience peace, relaxation, and tranquility. Out in the garden allows us some quality quiet time. We are away from the constant interruptions of technology indoors and we are free from timetables and schedules as we give the morning or afternoon over to the garden. You’re not up against the clock and you can take it all in at your own pace.

Connect with Nature

Gardening provides a close connection with the soil and the earth. It links us to the natural world of living things as we plant seeds and tend to their growth, nurturing life.

Let’s Get Physical 

Gardening is a great way to get physical exercise. Getting out in the garden for just 30-45 minutes can burn up to 300 calories. Common gardening activities, such as raking, weeding, shearing,  trimming, and pulling weeds engage a range of muscle groups at once, improving your overall fitness level. Also gardening is a great work out for joints as you stretch, kneel and bend to tend your garden.

Well Being

Gardening is a great way to relieve stress. Working with nature, getting out in the sunlight, being surrounded by plants, herbs, flowers, vegetables, and fruit is perfect for your well being. Plus sunlight also provides a healthy dose of vitamin D, and the fresh air that goes with it to blow the mental cobwebs away. And if you’re in a garden surrounded by bird song you’ll immediately feel any stress soon melting away.

Fresh and healthy food

If your gardening includes growing your own food, you are guaranteeing yourself many health benefits. Firstly, you will actually eat more fresh fruits and vegetables if you grow them. You will be eating food in its natural state and free from industrial fertilizers and pesticides that suffocate the “fresh” food in supermarkets. Also, most supermarket vegetables are picked early for shelf life. Vegetables that ripen in the garden to their natural lifespan are full of more nutrients.

Grow Your Own Medicine

Many plants contain special properties to help with our health and have been used since the dawn of time for medicinal purposes and a whole host of them can be grown in your garden at home. Whether it’s lavender for its calming properties, calendula for its skin healing and strengthening properties, or ginger for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, there’s a complete medicine cabinet available without prescription in your back garden!

Family Fun

Gardening is a great activity for the whole family. Getting the kids gardening provides them the experience of being in nature and taking care of living things. It is also educational, helping them to understand how the ecosystem works, whether that be gardening sustainably, conserving natural resources, and creating welcoming habitat for wildlife in your garden. And it gives them an understanding of where their food comes from and the difference between a potato and a chicken nugget!.

So why not get outdoors and get gardening now!

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