The other night, actually it was around 3:30 am I woke up and could not get back to sleep no matter what I tried…counting Hibiscus, bottles of Aerator, 2.5 gallon containers of dethatch, looking at new tools on Amazon, and of course, Ole Ace was nearby just snorin' up a storm… finally I thought, since it IS spring I need to give folks some ideas on why Gardening is so healthy for us humans. Thus here are 10 Great reasons you should begin Gardening or Landscaping! If you come up with more, please share!
10 Great reasons you should begin Gardening or Landscaping!
1. Gardening is a great way to improve your physical health, as it involves activities such as digging, planting, and weeding that get your body moving and burning calories. Consider each time you bend over or dig a hole for bulbs, plants, and veggies, you are adding minutes, hours, days, heck maybe years to your life!
2. It can also help to reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being. Spending time outside in nature and focusing on the growth and care of your plants can be a meditative and relaxing experience. I find after I get off the phone talking to the foreigners (or even Americans) at the cell phone or internet company, if I go outside and take it out on the weeds, before you know it, I feel better, especially after I’m done.
3. Gardening is a rewarding hobby that allows you to create something beautiful and useful. Whether you're growing fresh vegetables or a stunning flower garden, the sense of accomplishment you feel when your plants thrive is unbeatable. I live in a community where people love to walk, and while outside working on my acreage neighbors often stop by to visit about my lawn or garden, I have met most of my neighbors and since I am outside, we catch up on each other all the time.
4. It's a great way to connect with nature and learn more about the environment. You'll gain a greater appreciation for the natural world and the intricacies of ecosystems as you observe the plants and animals that visit your garden. I’m constantly trying to grow plants such as Butterfly weed, Coneflower, and Lantana that butterflies love cuz there’s just something about having them land nearby or on me that feels good. If you love hummingbirds plant bee balms, columbines, daylilies, and lupines. Here is a pic of a Rare Hummingbird Moth that was buzzing me while working in the garden...
5. Gardening can also be a social activity, as you can join local gardening groups or share tips and advice with friends and neighbors who also love to garden. Some of my best ideas have come from groups like this, and I love going because in a few hours I can mix in with 15-20 like minded folks that love the environment.
6. Growing your own food can be a healthy and cost-effective alternative to buying produce at the grocery store. You'll have access to fresh, organic fruits and vegetables without the added cost of transportation and packaging. Most of the people I know that grow their own vegetables don’t necessarily do it to save money, they do it because they want good healthy food, and love sharing the overage that comes from growing their own fruits and vegetables. One neighbor I have is a widow, and she has a huge garden and keeps the local homeless shelter stocked with canned goods and fresh vegetables. Gives her more joy I think than the folks at the shelter.
7. Gardening is a sustainable practice that helps to reduce your carbon footprint by promoting local food production and reducing the use of fossil fuels in transportation. People are always complaining about the damage we are doing to the environment, yet often too busy to do anything about it. Recycling and using organics to grow are just two simple things we can do to help.
8. It's also a great way to teach children about the importance of environmental stewardship and healthy eating habits. Kids love getting their hands dirty and watching plants grow, and gardening can be a fun and educational family activity. I have 13 grandkids (yes, really)! Most of them LOVE digging in the soil with Pa’pa and Mee’Maw and planting beans, potatoes, and tomatoes then watching them grow and harvesting then eating them. I do it to be able to spend time with them and they do the same which give me no end of pleasure.
A couple of them whine at pulling weeds, but I just remind them, “without hard work, nothing grows but weeds”. Speaking of Mee’Maw, when the wife came up with her own granular food for indoor gardening, the grandkids said, “Mee’Maw, you should bottle this so other folks can enjoy it too”, so be on the lookout before this fall for “Mee’Maw’s Sprinkles…and send us an email so we can send you a free sample!
9. Gardening can be done on any scale, whether you have a large backyard or just a small balcony. There are many ways to incorporate plants into your living space, from traditional garden structures to vertical gardens and window boxes. I have friends that have produced bushels of tomatoes from two barrels that have been cut in half, and others that have grown enough veggies to last a winter on raised beds. One customer I know had an extra 2,000 ft. of yard he was tired of taking care of and offered it to his home owners association for a community garden. Six neighbors took him up on it and tilled, planted, and harvest throughout the year. There’s currently a waiting list to join the group and share in the spoils!
10. Finally, gardening is a creative endeavor that allows you to express yourself through the design and arrangement of plants. Whether you prefer a wild and natural garden or a more structured and formal layout, your garden can be a reflection of your personal style and taste. Anyone that knows me knows anything goes, thus if I have an area of the acreage that isn’t being used, I’m going to plant something on it to improve the soil, air, and beauty. I love the earth and what our creator has given us, I hate what some are doing to it with plastics that aren’t being recycled, chemicals that are unchecked, and things sent into the air we breathe that make it poisonous, so I’m going to do what I can to help that, but I’m just one man (+ mee’maw & family) won’t you join us?
