5 Reasons Why Gardening is Good For You
In honor of National Garden Month (and beautiful spring weather), here are just a few reasons why you should pick up the shovel and start your own garden!
Gardening keeps you in shape
If you think about it, gardening is a fairly complete workout. There’s a lot of lifting, bending, pulling and carrying — all things that can build strength and involve different muscle groups. In fact, gardening can burn between 200-400 calories per hour — not too shabby! Of course, as with any physical activity, it’s important that you do things properly (for example, bending at the knees to avoid straining your back).
Gardening raises your spirits
The food you grow is the freshest food you can eat. And since home gardens are packed with a variety of fruits and vegetables, it’s also among the healthiest. But gardening also improves our mental health. Especially for those of us who work indoors all day, there’s a special feeling about putting your hands in the dirt and cultivating something.
Gardening is green (obviously)
More plants converting carbon dioxide into oxygen means less greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Also, planting trees can help cut your energy usage. Put deciduous trees on the south side of your house; their shade will provide summer cooling, but in their winter the sunshine can pass through. Or plant evergreens as windbreaks to make your house less drafty and easier to heat in the winter.
Gardening is educational
No need to go at it alone. Kids and grandkids can learn while lending you a helping hand. It’s a true life science project, it teaches them about healthy nutrition and it sure beats staring at the TV all day!
Gardening builds a sense of community
Whether you’re sharing your fresh fruit and vegetables with friends and family, volunteering to beautify a public space with a flower bed, bringing a bouquet to folks in the hospital or retirement home or starting a neighborhood gardening club, a green thumb brings people together.
Hope we’ve convinced you to spring into action! And if you need to keep a cold drink nearby, our gardening designs are perfect for staying hydrated while you water your plants.
— Al Montone