The happiness and health benefits of gardening

Gardening is a much loved past-time of many. Whether you are a home gardener, a community gardener or a visitor, a garden can be a source of exercise, relaxation and enjoyment.

It's no secret that most people enjoy being outdoors and digging in the soil, planting and watching plants grow. Recent studies have also shown that people with disabilities, people who are unwell, older people and children can find it especially rewarding to spend time in the garden tending plants and growing their own food.

• Exercise – gardening really does improve your endurance, strength, mobility and flexibility 
• Joy – from seeing your efforts come to life and grow in abundance 
• Relaxation – helps you relax and reduce your stress levels by getting back to nature 
• Fresh food – growing your own vegetables and herbs provides you and your family with a healthy variety of fresh food.  

With a little planning, garden beds, equipment and tools can be modified to make gardening accessible for children, older people and people with disabilities.

If you're new to gardening then there are lots of great ways to start getting involved in gardening:

• Going for a walk in a garden with a friend or family 
• Start small and creating your own small pot garden 
• Join a local community gardening group to learn and make friends 
• Lend a helping hand to a friend or neighbour by helping them care for their garden, we're sure many helpful tips will be passed on 
• Volunteer in your community – school and/or public gardens are always looking for a helping hand