Gardening season is finally here! In a few months there will be fresh tomatoes and spicy peppers ready for picking. The fresh herbs can be used now 
sparingly, and in a few weeks will have grown into an abundance. Basil Pesto and Tabbouleh (Parsley Salad) is just around the corner.
Gardening can be as simple as having a pot of basil or thyme on a sunny windowsill for cooking. It can be elaborate and have anything and everything from asparagus to zucchini growing in your back yard. At my house, we garden on the back deck because my yard is shady, and the deer like to meander through and munch on what we try to grow. The main thing to remember about whatever kind of garden you choose to grow, is that having one, small or large, benefits YOU.
Let’s look at how gardening benefits your physical and mental health, as well as, how it can possibly save you a little bit of money.
How Gardening Benefits You Physically
- Exercise – Gardening can be your cardio for the day. Planting, weeding, mowing, pruning and other garden tasks all burn calories. Depending on what kind of garden tasks you’re doing, you could be burning anywhere from 250-600 calories an hour. Give the gym a rest for the day and get out in your yard.
- Get your Vitamin D – One way of getting Vitamin D is by getting some sunlight on your skin, sensibly and safely of course. 5-10 minutes a few times a week can give a dose of the Vitamin D amount most people need. Vitamin D helps with healthy teeth and bones. There is also additional research being done that is showing it can help with high blood pressure, type 1 diabetes, and other health concerns, according to WebMD.
- Fresher, Safer, and Potentially more nutritious than Store Bought – Vegetables and herbs picked from the garden and used immediately or soon after picking are fresher than what is available at the grocery store. Because the produce grown didn’t have to travel and sit in store stockrooms it is potentially more nutritious. Growing produce at home allows you to control what soil, fertilizers and pest controls making the home-grown food potentially safer.
How Gardening Benefits You Mentally
- It Relieves Stress and is Relaxing – Weeding, planting, digging, and other gardening tasks give people an outlet to physically work stress out of the body. When gardening is a hobby and not a chore, it can be a very relaxing to reduce stress.
- It is Rewarding – Feeling proud of an accomplishment is good for the mind and soul. When people grow their own food and see what a little bit of effort can bring, it’s fulfilling and gratifying. Those happy feelings and endorphins are then released and help put people in a healthy mindset.
- Children Can be Convinced that Green Food is Good – Children are more likely to try things they may not like knowing that they helped produce it. In helping grow the food that they eat, they become more connected with it are excited and proud of what they have done. Dreaded green vegetables watch out!
How Gardening Can Save you Money
- Less waste – Pick vegetables that are ready for your meals. When growing your own herbs, cut the amount you want for a recipe as needed and let the plant continue to grow. You won’t have to worry about the extra that you bought hanging out in the fridge. If you have an abundance of vegetables, share some with family and friends. You can also learn how to freeze or preserve them for later use. If you have an abundance of herbs, dry them out by tying a bunch together with string. Then, hang them upside down. The microwave also comes in handy for drying herbs. Dried herbs are great to keep on hand for recipes when the growing season is over. Use dried thyme in my Sausage, Kale and Lentil Soup.
- Less trips to the store – Growing your own garden can mean one less trip for groceries depending on your meal plan for the week. Fewer trips to the store leads to less impulse buys. You are also saving on fuel and the time it takes to make the store run.
- Cost of seeds or plants – Buying pack of seeds or a plant are both cost effective. Both options can produce a bountiful crop so buy what you’re comfortable with. Some vegetables, like cucumbers and beans grow well from seeds. Let the professionals help with tomatoes and peppers and buy those as plants. You’re still going to get your money’s worth. Seeds run around 2.00 a pack. Plants, like those from Bonnie Plants, are available at many big box stores for a reasonable price of around 3.00 or 4.00 dollars each. The stores will carry what grows well in your area. Another great option is to go to local greenhouses in your area. Buying in your area will get you plants that grow well in your area. In addition, you’ll also be keeping money in your community by supporting local businesses.
Spring is here and as you can see, there are a lot of beneficial reasons to have a garden. It can help your body and mind. You can possibly save a little bit of grocery money when you plant a few herbs or vegetables too. Get outside and try a little bit of gardening for yourself today.
