Many people think of gardening simply as an activity (or, for some, a chore!) that beautifies their homes, increasing street appeal and potential resale value - but there's so much more to it than that. Gardening also has significant benefits for our physical, mental and social wellbeing, as well as the environment - some of which aren't so obvious on the surface. Here are our top 10 reasons to get into gardening...

 

Reason #1: Gardening for life

Gardening isn't just for the young and super-fit. It’s something you can do at just about any age, adapting each task to your own level of fitness and mobility. Some adaptations might include using raised planters or selecting lower-maintenance plants that require less physical care. It's not something that requires intrinsic, life-long knowledge either. You can pick it up late in life and have just as much success as someone who's been gardening since childhood.

 

Reason #2: Exercise

Watering, mulching, fertilising, digging, turning soils, repotting, transplanting - all of these essential garden tasks provide incidental exercise and help to get your step count up. Gardening is a great form of exercise, without you even realising you're doing it!

 

Gardening is a great, adaptable physical activity you can engage in at just about any age.

 

Reason #3: Vitamin D

Spending time out in the sunshine tending to your garden means that not only are you getting physical exercise, you're also getting exposure to a natural source of vitamin D. The benefit? Vitamin D is known to help your body to absorb calcium, contributing to healthy bones. Of course, don't forget to wear sun protection (including sunscreen and a hat) when you're out in the great outdoors.

 

Reason #4: Make a connection

Gardening offers the opportunity to connect with nature and also with other like-minded gardeners, fostering a sense of community across borders and generations. It might be something you do with your parent, sibling, child or grandchild, or an activity that gives you an opportunity to chat with your neighbour over the fence. Some suburbs even have community garden spaces which offer great opportunities to make connections. Connections aren't just limited to the physical world, either - there are plenty of gardening-focused groups on social media which allow you to network with like-minded gardeners, too!

 

Sharing the joy of gardening is a great way to make connections.

 

Reason #5: Stress less

Greener environments, both indoors and out, are known to decrease stress, increase productivity and promote relaxation. Is it any wonder workplaces everywhere are filling their offices with greenery?

 

Reason #6: Eat better

Gardening offers the opportunity to grow your own produce. Not only does home-grown produce taste delicious, there are a couple of other benefits to growing your own. Firstly, you'll know exactly how fresh each piece is, because it hasn't been sitting in a supply chain - it's something you have harvested directly from garden to table. Second is that you know for certain what chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides have been applied on and around the plant, so you can be sure of what you're ingesting. Thirdly, by growing your own produce and not relying on external supply chains, you're reducing your own carbon footprint!

 

There's not much better than growing your own produce!

 

Reason #7: Soil saviour

The positive benefits of planting and gardening don't just appear above the surface. Underground, your plants' roots work to hold the soil together, helping to prevent erosion. This is a particularly vital function in torrential rain like we've seen recently!

 

Reason #8: Clear the air

In a world struggling with air pollution, studies have shown that planting more in your own little patch of paradise can help to purify the air that we breathe, both indoors and out. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen as part of photosynthesis, the process by which they create energy. In a changing climate, the more plants that can absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, the better!

 

Indoor gardening has benefits, too - it's known to help clean the air and enhance productivity!

 

Reason #9: Habitat matters

Love wildlife? Gardening is a great way to help! Planting natives in particular helps to provide habitat and food sources for a broad range of wildlife. Plant natives and welcome beneficial bugs,  lizards, birds, possums and more!

 

Reason #10: Restore what matters

Adding seedlings, shrubs and trees to your garden is a simple act that can help to restore greenery lost to development and clearing. The more land that is cleared for development, the more vital it becomes that we each do our part to replenish the environment.

 

What's your motivation for gardening? Let us know in the comments below!