So here’s something different—put down that garden hose and just look at that tomato. How much bigger is it than when you planted it a few weeks ago? Look at those tiny new leaves and those golden yellow flowers. You did that. Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back for giving this a chance to grow. Now, step over to the deck and admire that gorgeous geranium blooming in the pot in that sunny corner. You did that, too.
Yeah, that small green tomato will make a fine sandwich in a few weeks, but what about right now? What about admiring the work you’ve done so far? Yeah, your garden will feed you, but what about feeling a sense of pride in what you’ve done so far, a sense of accomplishment when new flowers or vegetable buds open?
When we garden, we’re doing more than planting a few veggies for the refrigerator. Sometimes a garden is beautiful and comes with a sense of satisfaction. And, yes, it’s exciting watching that first flower bud open or picking that first ripe cucumber. Sometimes it’s even educational when we have a problem and have to figure out what it is and what to do. It keeps our minds sharp and creative.
Studies show that working in a garden is good for your health. Time in the sunshine increases your Vitamin D levels which boosts your immune system. However, it does more than that. It can give you a sense of accomplishment. Planting native species can even restore our local biodiversity and even help attract pollinators. Sometimes, we even get to eat the fruits of our labor!
A study in the UK actually found that certain bacteria in the soil actually activated brain cells to produce serotonin—a hormone that can makes us feel better. A study in the Netherlands showed that gardening can help to lower cortisol levels—a hormone linked to heart disease and high blood pressure.
And isn’t that why we really garden? Yeah, that first tomato is really good (and it’s good for us) but how about the fact that YOU grew it. Remember, gardening adds life to years and years to your life! So next time you’re out in the garden, go ahead and admire what you’ve grown!