Most of us enjoy looking at well-tended gardens, but while some people may think gardening is a back-breaking chore, others enjoy its benefits. These are many.
The most obvious benefit of gardening is that it can be a great way to relieve stress. With so much going on in our lives, many people forget to make time to take time out and do the things they enjoy. Planning the garden and then maintaining it offers the gardener a simple and inexpensive way to unwind and be creative. Gardening can help a person clear the mind and allows an individual to refocus attention on the many tasks that are involved.
Another health-related benefit of gardening is exercise and possible weight loss when needed. Movements, which include stretching, lifting and walking provide a wide range of useful exercises, and an antidote to sitting indoors. Gardening gets a person outside, exposed to natural fresh air, and refocused on a pleasant activity.
Recent research carried out by Bakker Spalding has found that 88% of people find that mental wellbeing is a crucial benefit for spending time in the garden. And Thrive, a charity dedicated to the welfare of people with mental health issues or physical disabilities and their gardening aspirations have recorded positive changes in the people who take up the hobby.
Then, there are the nutritional benefits to those who choose to plant a vegetable garden, as well as the personal satisfaction of providing home-grown fruits and vegetables.  Maintaining a vegetable or fruit garden is an excellent way of ensuring that there is a continuous supply of fresh vegetables to consume – with the knowledge that the gardener knows what substances, if any, have been used. Undoubtedly, eating more vegetables increases a person’s health and wellbeing. So gardening can be just what the doctor ordered.
Flowers bring pleasure to anyone who sees them, a gift to passers-by, and their scents can also be a source of happiness.
If you are thinking of growing your fruit and vegetables or flowers, or are already doing so but are limiting your range to the more conventional carrots, potatoes and onions, why not learn how to grow a varied and delicious crop successfully? ADL runs a wide selection of gardening courses, including growing your vegetables, fruit or flowers, home propagation and becoming a home garden expert.
There are many exciting careers within the field of gardening – from vegetable grower, florist, garden designer, garden centre manager…to plant breeder, landscape architect, environmental scientist…to name a few. ADL’s garden-related courses can offer a great introduction or get you going in a new and fulfilling direction. Why not check out the selection of courses on the website?