Get Your Green Thumbs Ready- It’s National Garden Week!

Whether you’re a first-time gardener or a seasoned pro, get your seeds and soil ready because this week is National Garden Week! During the first full week of June, it is all about learning and celebrating the wonderful benefits of gardening. From having endless fresh fruits and vegetables to providing a sense of community and beauty to your neighborhood – the benefits are truly endless.

5 Health Benefits to Gardening

Outside of the obvious like providing fresh fruits and vegetables to your dinner table, gardening also offers a whole host of health benefits. Yes, you heard that right, gardening is good for your health! Here are 5 health benefits to gardening:

1. Increased exposure to Vitamin D. Believe it or not, the sun is an excellent source of Vitamin D. Since gardening requires you to be outside and exposed to the sunshine, this allows you to not only pursue a great hobby but to also get a healthy dose of the “sunshine vitamin” (aka Vitamin D). Don’t forget to always wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes from sun damage!

2. Huge mood booster. Many studies have found that gardening, compared to other activities like reading a book or staying indoors, can help fight stress and improve mood. Perhaps the next time you find yourself stressed or low energy, pick up the gardening tools!

3. Decreased risk for dementia. Gardening is great for cognition and memory. Researchers have found that activities like gardening can reduce the incidence of dementia in future years.

4. Great aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise simply means that during these types of activities, your heart rate will increase, and you will be using more oxygen. From pulling weeds, planting produce, to bending and twisting, gardening is a great form of aerobic exercise (and you may not even realize you’re breaking a sweat!). While gardening, you will surely be working all the muscles in your body which will help with strength, stamina, and flexibility.

5. Provides a sense of community. Gardening is a great way to gather neighborhoods and communities together to socialize and engage with others. Try gathering your friends, family, and neighbors to create a community garden in your neighborhood!

4 Top Gardening Tips for Gardening Newbies

Never gardened before? Why not start now during National Garden Week! If you’re new to the gardening community, I have you covered! Here are 4 top gardening tips for gardening newbies:

1. Find the right location.Be sure to place your garden in a part of your yard that you regularly see, gets lots of sunlight, and is close to a water source. This way you are likely to spend lots of time in it and have plenty of resources nearby.

2. Follow the sun.Not having enough sunlight is a common mistake many first-time gardeners make. Pay attention to how the sunlight moves around your yard before deciding on where to put your garden. Tip: Most fruits, vegetables, and herbs require at least 6 hours of sun to grow!

3. Pick the best soil.Invest in great soil! All fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other plants need nutrient-rich and well-drained soil to survive and thrive. Be picky and choose wisely.

4. Choose the right plants.Consider your growing conditions before making any plant selections. Do you live in a mostly warm climate? Do you have harsh winters? Asking yourself these questions will help narrow down your options as to what plants would grow best in your garden.

What better way to kick off the summer than by starting your own garden? Use some of these tips to get you started and on your way to becoming a seasoned pro! No matter where you are on your gardening journey, let’s continue to celebrate the endless benefits of gardening during National Garden Week.

Your Turn to Take Action: What will you be growing this summer during National Garden Week? Let me know in the comments below.