Gardening: A Source of Nourishment for your Body and Soul
What are some of the benefits of gardening?
Are you familiar with the statement that growing edible plants is beneficial to our diet, pocket book, and health?
How about that gardening is a therapeutic activity? Some might ask for proof of this opinion. That is what I was looking for, today. I decided to check and see what has been written online about the effects of gardening on our mental health.
Surprisingly, I came up with nothing on the subject.
Therefore, I will share my experince and of those who, like me, love gardening. The following are my reflections on gardening as soul enriching activity.
Gardening Objectives
When gardening, I have 2 objectives in mind.
A. I grow edible plants to provide food for my household and to share with friends.
B. I grow ornamental and wild flowers to enjoy the beauty of flowers.
Edible Plants
Within the edible plants, there are 3 groups I concentrate on:
1. Herbs - I became an avid herb grower after I learned about their culinary and medicinal use. I grow mostly the ones used for culinary purpose. I would not attempt to treat myself or anyone with herbs. My favorite old time book that I relied on since the 70s is The Rodale Herb Book
Herbs became my favorite edible plants, because they are easier to grow and maintain than vegetables. They also are very useful in inter-planting with vegetable plants. For instance, it is recommended to plant the Hysop near Grape vines, or Basil near Tomatoes.
2. Berries and Fruit Trees – After cutting down all the sick fruit trees and the messy nut trees in my Potomac, MD yard a few years back, I learned that Berries are easiest to grow and have the least issues. There is no need to spray them to keep them healthy. I know that it does not apply to all Berries such as Currents and Gogi Berries. I was able to grow lots of Blueberries and Raspberries without having to spray them. To this list I will add the hardy Kiwi and Figs. I have successfully been growing them everywhere I live. Grape Vines, and Apple trees are not carefree, but I started planting them again. This summer I will see if the birds and insects will share the bounty with us.
3. Vegetables – I grow at least two crops. I start in Septemb
er by seeding cool weather plants such as lettuce, onions, beets, peas and others. These are ready for salads in March. As they mature, I plant others in their place. The second crop is the warm weather vegetables. By the end of April, I start planting the green beans, cucumbers and tomatoes.
How might gardening affect your life?
When you harvest edible plants in your yard without chemicals or pesticides you, too, will feel very good. How great would it be to pick your salad fresh and top it with herbs, rather than having to run to the store for semi -wilted greens?
You will feel energized as you sow seeds, watch them become plants and observe the vegetables grow, care for them, and prune grown plants. The real joy will manifest itself as you look out the window and gaze at the forever changing pallets of colors in your garden. Or as you walk around and notice the fruits and vegetables ripening in your garden. Add to that, pick the grapes of the vine and eat them! Nothing you have bought in the store will ever match that heavenly taste!
These activities promote feelings of anticipation, satisfaction, accomplishment and competency. Such emotions must have positive impact on our brain, for gardeners report elevated energy, calmness, and happiness when they enter their garden, regardless of how tough their day has been.
No matter what types of plants you choose to grow, chances are high that your life will be similarly enriched.
Resources for seed and plants:
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