Benefits of gardening

You exercise your body when you garden.  You burn calories as you stretch and bend, hoe and  dig.  You lift weights when you carry a pail to water flowers.  Lifting weights helps prevent osteoporosis. 

You feel satisfaction when picking tomatoes and peppers; homemade salsa makes a great gift for friends and family.   Foods you’ve grown just seem to taste better.  Herbs you’ve grown in your garden add flavor to many meals.  Add a few herbs such as basil, and oregano to tomato sauce to make a great marinara. 

Start working in your flower beds and see the neighbors stop to talk and visit after a cold winter hibernation.  It is social time. 

A University of Illinois Champaign article says it well, “Gardening connects you with nature and the rhythm of life.  Gardening requires you to live in garden time.  We all could use a lesson in slowing down.  Studies have revealed just viewing a garden or nature has healthy psychological benefits.”  http://web.extension.illinois.edu/champaign/homeowners/050103.html

         Now you know how to protect your health and reap the benefits.
         Enjoy your springtime gardening.