10 reasons to start gardening

Are you looking for a new hobby that is fun, relaxing, and rewarding? If so, you might want to consider gardening. Gardening is not only a great way to enjoy nature, but also a creative outlet that can improve your health and happiness. Whether you have a small balcony or a large backyard, you can start gardening today with some simple steps. Here are 10 reasons why gardening is the perfect hobby for you:

1. Gardening promotes better mental health and wellbeing

Gardening is great for your mental health and wellbeing. A study conducted by the National Institute for Health Research found that individuals who spent more time outdoors gardening had better mental and physical health than those who did not. Whilst the act of gardening is therapeutic, there are also healthy bacteria that live in the soil that have been linked to serotonin levels and reduced anxiety. I always feel rejuvenated after gardening, especially on a stressful day. It can be difficult to find the motivation so I recommend taking baby steps if you’re struggling. Go outside and take a deep breath in! Forget your gardening gloves and touch some soil and grass. You’ll feel connected to nature and get a serotonin boost - before you know it, you’ll want to garden every day!

2. Easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables

A garden can provide fresh fruit and vegetables all year round depending on where you live. Not only is this beneficial for your health but it’s also a great way to save money and improve food security. Harvesting your own food is extremely rewarding and can be beneficial during food shortages.

3. Attracts wildlife and increases biodiversity

Planting wild-life-friendly trees and flowers helps create ecosystems that maintain a healthier environmental balance and increase biodiversity. It’s a great way to give back to nature! Biodiversity is incredibly important for a healthy ecosystem that all of life on Earth relies on. Think about planting a range of plant species of different shapes, fragrances and colours for a biodiverse garden. If you have a small garden, focus on two species that support the needs of pollinators such as Dandelions or Ivy.

4. Keeps you active

Remote working has increased significantly with many of us finding ourselves working at home most of the day, barely stepping outside. Gardening is a great way to stay active whether you’re sweeping, mulching, harvesting, weeding or digging. Once you have a garden, it will require a daily effort and it will do wonders for your physical health!

5. Gardening reduces waste

Gardening is a good platform for reducing waste. I like collecting rain water in buckets to later use to water house plants which keeps the pH of your soil well-balanced. You can also start composting which is the best way to reduce waste and give back to the earth. Composting your fruit and vegetable waste provides you with nutrients for your future crops resulting in a compost life cycle.

6. Continuous learning

I’m constantly learning and discovering new things in the garden. No matter how experienced of a gardener you are, there will always be more to learn in gardening. Remember, in gardening, there is no such thing as a mistake – just a learning curve.

7. Provides beautiful gifts

Finding a gift for a loved one can be difficult and it’s something I often struggle with. Presenting a gift from your garden is a beautiful way of showing your love for that special person knowing that the gift they are receiving is one you planted and nurtured yourself.

8. Fosters human connection

Gardening can foster human connection and build communities. If you decide to start gardening with someone whether that be your parent, child, partner or friend, it can be a great way to strengthen your relationships and bond over time. I garden mostly with my mum and it’s a great bonding experience to have that I look forward to every day! If you garden alone, it can spark the attention of your neighbours or you can organise a neighbourhood gardening group and build relationships.

9. It empowers

Maybe you’re job hunting and facing rejection or you lack confidence, gardening is a great hobby to have as it is extremely rewarding. Seeing the results of your hard work and labour is empowering and can provide you with a boost of confidence you might need.

10. Increases the value of your home

If you plan on selling in the future, gardens can increase your property’s value by as much as 16% and well-kept gardens are highly sought after.

Did you enjoy this article? If yes, share it with your friends and family. Happy Gardening!