WHY GARDEN

 

We diehard farmers and gardeners are different sorts of creatures. At the first sign of spring, we get itchy to get out and dig in the dirt. Sure, it’s nice to have a little break in the winter but then that deep primal need to grow something returns year after year. That’s just us seasoned ones.

For those of you that haven’t grown up with this way of life, you may not understand. To you it may just seem like a lot of work and misery. After all, it’s a constant battle with bugs, slugs, weeds, too much rain, not enough rain, too hot, too cold…the list goes on. So, why do we do it? There are so many good reasons that outweigh the bad ones of why to garden, at least for me.

 

MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. There is absolutely something magical about getting out in the fresh air and digging in the dirt. It’s like it brings life full circle. There is something to do just about every day, so it forces you outside. Just the mere fact of being out in nature does wonders for a soul and the spirits.

Gardening is so different from walking, biking, golfing and any other outside activity. It’s a solitary task that gives one time to reflect and get in touch with yourself again, to unplug from the highly technical world that we all live in and sometimes to just be, giving the brain a rest to actually do nothing while your hands keep busy.

 

 

THE NEED TO GROW. There is something about watching a plant grow from one tiny seed and then to produce abundantly. This miracle of life is amazing, but it goes deeper than that for me. It’s the comforting feeling that I can sustain myself and those I love. There will always be something to eat, even if the shelves in stores are bare, we will have food.

 

It’s also a nurturing thing and a feeling of accomplishment when you see a beautiful flower or a mature tomato and know that you beat the odds of weeds and pests to nurture this plant to maturity.

 

 

 

HEALTH BENEFITS. Wow! Where do I begin, there are so many of them! First of all, gardening is exercise. It uses every major muscle group in the body. Think of it, you push, pull, dig, pound, bend, stoop, carry and so much more.

Besides the physical aspects of health, gardening is a mood booster. Anxiety levels drop and it helps those who suffer from depression. It also helps people rejuvenate after periods of stress. A study was done way back in 2011 where researchers exposed participants to stressful events and then measured their cortisol levels. Not surprising, those that engaged in some form of gardening after the stressful event had lower cortisol levels than those who didn’t.

Many folks don’t realize it, but people are like plants in that the body is capable of photosynthesis, the process of making food from sunlight. Our bodies do the same, especially with vitamin D levels. Just 30 minutes in the sun can produce between 8000 and 50,000 IU of vitamin D.

People in the Netherlands and Norway who suffered from some degree of dementia spent large parts of their days on farms or gardens by participating in the Greencare program. After doing so, their memory showed improvement.

Family and community gardens are fast becoming a “thing,” especially in urban areas. This unites people who may otherwise be disconnected and feel lonely by doing something that brings them together.

Those who plant gardens tend to eat more fresh produce. It is convenient to walk out the back door and grab what you want when you want it.

 

FOOD TASTES BETTER. It makes no difference how fresh produce is when it is picked by large suppliers to supermarkets, it still has to be packaged and travel. It is never as fresh as when you raise your own. Let’s face it, when food is fresher, it just tastes better and you eat more. There is also less waste since food tends to spoil the longer it is on the shelf.

Grabbing it from your garden not only assures peak freshness, but it can stay on the vine or in the ground until you are ready to use it. You can have fresh carrots every day instead of buying a huge bag all at once.

 

YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN IT. You are in control of what fertilizers and pesticides to use. Everyone knows that pesticide residue is a big issue lately. Some penetrates our food and we ingest it. Going organic is not just a fad, it truly is better for you but many big producers either financially can’t or are unwilling to do what it takes to go organic.

These chemicals build up in our bodies over time and cause so much havoc. Raising your own produce gives you some control over what you put in your body…and that is powerful.

You can also grow exactly what you like. Instead of buying just a tomato at the store, you can plant an heirloom variety, or one that is meatier, juicier or sweeter. Planting your own lets you cater to your individual tastes.

 

SAVE MONEY. Less trips to the store mean less hassle and also more money in your pocket. The more people who are involved from production to consumer means more people need a cut of the profit. In your garden, you only have expenses for the initial seed, fertilizer and chemicals…the rest is your own elbow grease which is actually good for you! Saving pennies on the dollar adds up in the long run.

 

LEARNING EXPERIENCE. If you make this a family affair, what a great learning experience, not only for the kids, but also for the entire family. Plant cycles, different kinds of seeds, learning where food comes from, and just the act of watching something grow is a great hands-on learning experience that no classroom can provide.

 

LEAD TO NEW HOBBIES. Gardening offers so many possibilities to try new hobbies and crafts. Growing your own flowers lets you dry them, make arrangements, sell fresh bouquets and so much more. Plant birdhouse goards, dry them and paint them.

 

GO LITTLE OR GO BIG. Don’t think that just because you may not have a lot of space for a garden that you can’t have one. Container gardens are becoming big news and even a few plants on your windowsill qualifies. So, big or small, anyone can enjoy the benefits of gardening regardless of where you live.

Farmers’ markets are becoming popular both in rural and urban areas. Everyone knows how many zucchini just one plant produces. It is the same with many garden crops. Why not take the extra to the farmers’ market and share. You can make a little extra money and also a few new friends along the way.

These are just a few of the reasons why gardening is a great new venture if you have never tried your hand at it before. There is even a little secret among us seasoned gardeners…every spring when the weather warms, we feel the same excitement over and over, no matter how long we have been doing it. So, fair warning, if you try gardening even once, it just may get under your skin for a lifetime!