By Celeste Gorman MS, RD, CDN
Planting a vegetable garden is a great way to enjoy fresh, nutritious foods. Your first thought might be “it’s too much work!” or “I don’t have time.” However, if you consider these 12 benefits of gardening, you may just change your mind and improve your health along the way.
- Increasing your physical activity. We should all be seeking ways to increase our mobility and level of physical fitness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity activity a week to reduce risk of obesity, stroke, hypertension, osteoporosis and depression. Gardening gives you a way to exercise in your own backyard while also providing a plethora of other health benefits.
- Get your Vitamin D. By spending just ten minutes a day in your garden you could meet your daily requirement of this essential vitamin. Vitamin D strengthens our immune system and is reported to have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Improve your mental health and reduce stress. Gardeners typically have less stress. This may be attributed to increased physical activity and the satisfaction that comes with the results of a job well done. Appreciating the beauty of our surroundings and the sounds of nature – whether it’s the rustling leaves or birds singing – soothes our senses.
- Family time can be spent in a garden, creating moments to remember. Gardening as a family is a great way to get your kids outside and moving. It may also foster an interest in eating the bounty that comes from the garden, instilling healthy eating habits in children.
- Improve your home’s value. Gardens add curb appeal that may enhance your property value as well as the value of others in your community.
- Better the environment— which gets a boost from plants that utilize carbon dioxide and provide oxygen, while reducing air pollutants. Additionally, dense plantings and using mulch help to reduce soil erosion.
- Reuse natural resources. Composting helps us to reduce our carbon footprint by lowering methane emissions. It increases beneficial bacteria and enriches the soil, allowing for reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers, less pesticide use and healthier plants.
- Helping Mother Nature. Attracting birds and bees promotes a healthy habitat, which can be done by planting vegetation that draws them to the garden.
- Fresh Food. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is the delicious side of a having a garden. From the garden to your table, providing freshness and taste that cannot be obtained from the store and a quality of the nutrients cannot be matched.
- Saving money is another bonus. Growing your own food in a garden has a measurable financial benefit by cutting down on your bill at the supermarket.
- Cooking the bounty with family and friends can also be fun. Experiment with new foods, and recipes to broaden horizons. Try different methods of cooking that are healthier and retain nutrients.
- Gratitude. Just remember, when planning your outdoor space, save a spot in the shade for you to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.