Make Gardening a Family Affair - Part 1: Why Gardening Is Good for the Whole Family!

Gardening offers so many benefits for those who make it a part of their lives! It can put some extra food on the table, offer nutritious foods for your family’s good health, and it can be a fun hobby, too. However, not only can it be a great activity for one person, but it can also be a bonding experience for the whole family to do together.

When you involve your loved ones in gardening, it also lightens the workload of one person having to prepare and care for a garden, and it will give your family time to support each other, offer praise, and share excitement – all in a peaceful setting without the intrusion of electronics.

It’s easy to get your whole family involved in creating and maintaining a sustainable garden. Your spouse and children can help take care of the garden as a whole - with everyone working side by side, or you can split up portions of the garden into different sections and rotate it among family members so that each person spends time helping another person in your family.

Why Gardening Is Good for the Family

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gardening isn’t just a good hobby. You can learn a lot of different things through gardening, including self-sufficiency. When you involve your family in the process of growing their own fruits and vegetables, you’ll be helping them learn many useful things that can benefit them now as well as later on in life.

When your family gardens, everyone will have to learn which fruits and vegetables are best grown in the spring and summer, and which ones are best grown in the fall. You can give everyone a lesson on planting zones and how to choose which produce grows best in your area.

You will also learn how weather can affect plants, how water and sunshine help the plant to grow, and what bugs are attracted to certain plants. These facts will interest teens as well as younger kids.

You can learn more than just the facts and benefits of plants for food. When you garden with your family, you can learn other uses for a plant. For instance, some of them have been used throughout human history to treat certain health issues.

Teach them that the basil they’re growing can possibly help treat headaches. Let them know that the lavender they see sprouting up is something that can help calm and soothe them after a stressful day, even helping them sleep better at night!

As you work with your family to plant and care for a garden, let them learn which fruits and vegetables work best with certain dishes and which ones they like most. You don’t want to plant something no one likes and that you’ll never eat!

Gardening is also a great way to explore and learn brand new foods to try. If you’re first starting out, use fruits and vegetables that are easy to grow, such as beets, carrots, cucumbers, snap peas, and blackberries.

Once you’ve been gardening for awhile, don’t be afraid to experiment with different fruits and vegetables. Mix up your garden to create some color and variety. Have fun letting others in your family choose what to plant in the garden! Teens and younger kids will especially enjoy having this choice.

Another benefit of gardening is getting to watch your kids become self-confident when they learn to grow a vegetable or fruit on their own.

You’ll also get to see your child become more responsible as they take care to water the plants and pull weeds to help the garden grow.

Let your family members each be responsible for their own fruits and vegetables. Allow them to learn and to research the care that different types of plants need.

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gardening can also help open up communication. If you have older kids and teenagers, many parents find it hard to communicate with them. But if you can have them help you in the garden, it creates time you can spend with them one on one – without friends texting them or the TV blaring in the background. Sometimes, all it takes is doing an activity together to help strengthen family bonds!

Not only does gardening help with communication, but it also opens your family up to having something they all share. It helps bring the family together and adds closeness.

This works the same with your spouse.

If you both work, time with each other can be limited. But having something that you both take care of together can offer a time for communication as well as a fun hobby.

Just keep in mind that different family members will enjoy certain tasks more than others. While you might enjoy pulling weeds, another family member might not be so thrilled with it. Make sure to split up the tasks so no one gets stuck doing something he or she hates.

As you can see, gardening together as a family has many benefits for everyone, and can help bring your family closer together doing something productive that you all can enjoy!

Be sure to check back next week for some more helpful tips on getting your kids involved in the garden....

Why Gardening Is Important for Humanity

Most people think of gardening as a hobby, and indeed, for most people it is. But gardening is far more than that, and although the reasons why we garden may be as many as there are gardeners, at a basic level the real reason is that it fulfills some important needs for us as humans.

Obviously one of the main reasons is that it helps us feel some sense of control over at least a part of our food supply - however small that part may be. In today's day and age, the importance of this aspect cannot be overstated. Most people haven't the faintest idea where their food comes from in any real sense. Where was it raised? How was it raised/what kind of a life did it have? Where has it been since then? There is no connection between us and where our food comes from anymore.

"Spirit of '18. The World Cry FOOD. Keep the home gardening going". (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Being able to say you know exactly what is on your plate and what went into growing it, harvesting it, and getting it onto your plate is something most people aren't able to do with any sort of certainty these days. Growing some of it in your own backyard is a great way to have a real connection with what you eat - and also to experience what goes into growing food, and therefore at least feel a greater connection to those who grow the rest of yours.

But at perhaps an even deeper level, humans yearn to feel that they are contributing something of value, and feeling that you have a hand in directly contributing to the survival and well being of yourself and your family is a powerful thing - so much so that it's hard to put into words. Contributing food that you planted, cared for, and harvested with your own two hands to your family's dinner table offers an important sense of control and connection in an often uncertain and disconnected world. Those who garden may not put their reasoning into these words, but it goes a long way towards explaining why gardening is just about the most popular and widespread "hobby" in the developed world.

If you haven't started a garden before, or even if you have but you're not sure if you want to do it again this year, think about the deeper meaning behind what it is to garden - not just to enjoy a pretty scene of flowers and vegetables, but to truly help to support yourself and your family with your own efforts. It may not always be easy, but when it comes down to it, it's always worth it.

Video - Why We Garden

In this short video, gardeners express the reasons why they garden - from exercise, to control over one's food supply, to teaching their children about responsible food choices, gardeners have dozens of reasons why they do it. But the underlying reason is joy, and this inspiring little video shows you why. It may just inspire you to get out in the garden today, and enjoy all that the fall garden has to offer!

Why We Garden 1
Bonnie customers share why they grow vegetables in their home gardens.


To get started with your own sustainable garden, be sure to check out http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainable-gardening.html for tips, tools, and helpful resources.

Express Yourself Through Gardening

Gardens offer you one of the best opportunities to express yourself. You can often get a good idea of a person's personality just by looking at their garden. It can show you whether they are free spirited with color and plants splashed everywhere like an expressionist painting, or prefer a more organized and regimented approach to life.

Color variations in a Garden Nasturtium in a home garden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Planting your garden gives you the freedom to choose the colors that make you feel good, and the colors and plants that make you feel happy. You have the choice to add flowers that have the fragrances that you love to smell or remind you of some place that you might have once visited.

You can change with the seasons just as your garden does and add color to a gray day. Gardening gives you an excuse to get outside on a gray day and enjoy all the color that you might have missed inside avoiding the weather.

Adding colored pots and sculptures can brighten a winter garden and add more contrast to the colors of spring, summer and fall. You can change the style and look of the garden as you make changes in your life so that one year is never the same as the next or you can choose to keep everything the same if you don't like change just as an old tree stands from one year to the next.

The beauty of a garden can change your moods and make you feel good just being there. It can make you realize that the important things in life are the little things that are all around us all the time.

There is life in the garden and the garden will always welcome anyone who wants to share in the beauty of that life. It's no wonder that so many people love gardening, because there is so much to love about it. Why not get outside and into the garden today, and see what magic you can make?

Video - How Gardening Makes You Healthy

This short video discusses a few of the health benefits of gardening. From stress relief to exercise to healthier food to improved sleep quality and so much more, gardening is good for your health. If you can grow a garden instead of pop a pill, all the better!

Check it out, and learn how you can benefit from growing a garden this year:

Health Benefits of Gardening
Join Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, author of Life Is Your Best Medicine, on a journey toward healing, health and wholeness as she explains the benefits of working an...

Video - Gardening for Health & Stress Relief

This short video discusses just a few of the many benefits of gardening - from physical health to stress relief and beyond, gardening is a great way to enhance your health in a number of ways - and it's so much fun too!  Gardening organically can also give you a sense of pride as you are doing something healthy for both the planet and your family, and it's a great activity for families to do together. Children can enjoy it too, and they'll learn valuable lessons about taking responsibility for their own food supply and the health of the environment.

So get gardening, and get healthy!

Garden for Health: The Physical, Nutritional and Stress Management Benefits
Stacy discusses the physical, nutritional, and stress management benefits of gardening.

How to Relieve Stress - With Gardening

Many of us garden because we want to grow our own fruits and vegetables. An attractive landscape or curb appeal may be the goal of others. But gardening, no matter what kind, can also be therapeutic. For many people gardening relaxes the mind, body and spirit. Actually, it is not gardening that's relaxing, but the way that we approach it. If gardening is seen as a chore, it's stressful. If we view it as enjoyable, it can help relieve stress.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Focusing on your gardening task is the key to relieving stress. Digging, chopping, and pounding motions can relieve stress and tension. Strenuous activities also provide an outlet for pent up aggression. But strenuous activities are certainly not the only ways to relieve stress in your garden. Something as simple as a walk around the garden may be just what the doctor ordered. When you take your walk, be sure to absorb all the colors, fragrances and designs in the garden. You can also admire your gardening skills and this is sure to reverse the stress into a state of well being.

Here are some pointers for stress-free gardening:

1. Make a short "to do" list and stick to it. Don't try to do everything in one afternoon, evening, or weekend because this is sure to manifest as stress.  Attack garden chores with the same vigor as weight-lifting, running, or swimming - or any other activity that you enjoy.

2. Stop what you're doing and rest periodically, reviving yourself with some stretching and plenty of fluids, as you relax and survey the results of your efforts. Listening to music while gardening can add a pleasurable environment with the calming effect of your favorite tunes. And teach your children how to garden. Not only will they be learning a lifelong skill but will cherish the time spent with you.

3. Stress is at an all time high in the society we live in today and is the root cause of many diseases and chronic illnesses. Learn how to quite your mind and tune out the noise by having brief moments of internal silence.  If you don't have the yard or space to denote your own gardening skills, volunteer!  There are many places that have horticultural therapy programs that are in need of volunteers.  Schools, day cares, nursing homes and hospitals are great places to start looking to volunteer.

(Photo credit: RaeAllen)

Gardening has many other advantages, too. Growing your own produce supplies you with fresh fruit and vegetables for your summer meals. This is always too a great avenue to share the harvest with friends and family.  What's better than home grown tomatoes from your own garden? Being out in the sun in limited amounts of time gardening also supplies you with vitamin D.  Sunshine brightens your spirits and will give you that sun kissed glow.  (Remember moderation is key when being out in the sun.)

4. Garden safely. Gardening usually requires a lot of bending and lifting. Doing it the wrong way can put a lot of strain on your lower back so a good technique for planting or weeding is to squat. Put one knee on the ground rather than bending at the waist, switching knees every few minutes. Kneel on a small pillow or purchase knee pads which you can buy at a department store, hardware store, or gardening shop.   Also use caution when lifting shrubs or bags of soil or waste. Try to keep your back straight and bend at your knees.  Use your legs instead of your back to lift the weight. Be careful not to twist your body and if something is too heavy to lift then wait on help.

Gardening is an excellent way to relieve stress for all ages but remember to do it safely and take breaks when you need to.  When you see all you have accomplished, you can feel proud of your efforts, and your beautiful garden that results. Gardening can become not only a stress reliever but a fulfilling hobby to share with your friends and family.

Infographic - The Benefits of Gardening

Here is a very cool "infographic" shared by one of our kind readers. It is pretty neat - check it out below for some of the many ways that gardening can benefit you and the world!





Source by Loch Ness Water Gardens

Gardening - A Great Way to Improve Your Emotional Health

This week we are talking about gardening and health. Most people think of gardening as a fun hobby, or a way to have a few extra fresh veggies on hand, but actually gardening offers a number of other benefits. It is a way to grow and harvest your own food - true. It can also create a nice landscape for your yard. It’s also a pleasant and low stress way to spend some time outside. But you might be surprised to know that gardening can also improve your emotional health. Here’s how.

Image via WikipediaGardening Requires Focus
Gardening is a task, like many creative tasks, that requires great focus. Digging, planting, and caring for the flowers, fruits and vegetables in your garden help you turn off an overactive mind. You’re able to instead focus on one thing – gardening. It helps you tune out the rest of the world for a while.

Gardening can actually help you find a meditative state. When you’re in this state your body and mind both relax. You’re able to find calm and awareness. It quiets the mind so those thoughts that have been plaguing you are sent away for a while.

It’s so effective at calming the mind and body that gardening programs are often used as therapy. People who are in mental health facilities and even prisons have been shown to receive tremendous benefit from gardening.

Gardening Stimulates the Mind
Gardening also provides you with a creative outlet. It stimulates your mind and requires you to solve problems too. In addition to planning a garden you also need to pay attention to the logistics.

You want to make sure your garden has all the nutrients it needs. Pest control, insect control, disease management and nutrition are all required for healthy plants. Additionally, you probably want to grow an aesthetically pleasing garden. That means spending time planning not only the location of various plants but how plants work together and fit to create a visually appealing garden.

Gardening also appeals to your senses which stimulate your mind. Your hands are digging in the dirt. You’re surrounded by life and you’re playing an active role in creating it. You can smell the flowers, touch the soft leaves of your plants and see the vibrant colors.

Image via WikipediaWhen your mind is stimulated creatively and is involved in problem solving, it can help you learn to manage other things. If you’re dealing with fears, depression, anxiety and stress, gardening can help you learn to manage those emotions.

Gardening Provides a Purpose
There are many reasons to have a garden. The most basic is for beauty. A Zen garden for example can provide a tranquil escape. A wildflower garden can provide unfettered beauty. A vegetable garden can provide sustenance. When you have a purpose and can follow through on that purpose, it helps build self esteem and confidence. It gives you a reason to get up in the morning (sounds silly, but I know at times when I've been depressed, few things make me feel better than going out to play in my garden for a while). You can watch your efforts pay off by creating the garden you desire.

Good for the Body is Good for the Mind
Finally, gardening is good for you physically. You’re moving your muscles and spending time outside. Time in the sun produces vitamin D which has been shown to be essential for mental health. Fresh air and sunshine is always good to help you relax and alleviate stress. And when your body is moving and active it produces endorphins. They are the feel good hormones produced by exercise. They help provide emotional well being.

Gardening provides an abundance of benefits for emotional well being. If you need to relax, ease depression or find a little joy, consider gardening. It helps you take great care of yourself, both body and mind.