The Benefits of Gardening

Did you know that the 14 April 2025 is garden day? It's a day to reconnect with nature, promote well-being, and celebrate the power that green space has on both people and animals. There's no better time to grab a shovel and get gardening!

From enhancing physical and mental health to supporting local ecosystems, our gardens can have a massive impact and they are so crucial to the natural environment around us. Occupational therapy, and other therapies, sometimes use therapeutic gardening projects to help patients.

Whether tending to your vegetable gardens or planting pollinator-friendly wildflowers, we're exploring all types of gardening activities and their wildlife and mental health benefits.

Gardening for Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing

Gardening isn’t just about growing plants or harvesting vegetables - it’s also a powerful way to improve both mental and physical health.

Physical Exercise

Gardening is a form of low-impact exercise, so it's accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. Weeding, planting, digging, and raking all have positive benefits to our physical health, whilst not putting too much pressure and strain on the joints.

Research also shows that light gardening can be beneficial for cardiovascular health; with a study showing those who were gardening had significantly lower odds of cardiovascular disease.

When gardening, sunlight lowers blood pressure and increases levels of Vitamin D, which contributes to bone health and cardiovascular function.

Boosts Immune System and Mental Health

In the garden, there are lots of beneficial microbes and soil-based bacteria that you are exposed to, these have been shown to help immune system function.

Many studies have found that the mental health outcomes when gardening are positive. A reduction in stress hormones, like cortisol, has been linked to gardening, as well as the release of endorphins - improving mood and reducing anxiety.

Gardens improve mental health, and spending time outside growing and nurturing plants can have a really positive impact on us!

Improves Sleep Quality

Having trouble sleeping? Get those gardening gloves on... physical activity in the garden, combined with natural sunlight, can help regulate the body's circadian rhythm - this promotes better sleep.

Brain and Cognitive Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is more than just physical activity, it's also good for your brain! It doesn't matter if you're planting seeds or watering your favourite flowers, gardening provides a wealth of cognitive benefits to help keep your mind sharp and clear, and the well-being benefits don't stop there!

Improves Cognitive Performance and Memory

The act of planting, nurturing, and caring for plants in a green environment can help engage your brain in problem-solving, stimulating brain activity. Remembering water schedules, and layouts, and dealing with challenges in the garden can improve focus, attention, and clarity.

Encourages the Production of Brain Nerve Growth Factors

During gardening, the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is encouraged, this promotes the growth of new brain nerve cells. This process is essential for maintaining neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections throughout life. Increased levels of BDNF are associated with improved learning, memory, and overall brain health.

Wellbeing Benefits

The sense of accomplishment you get from tending to a garden can have a significant positive impact on mental well-being. Successfully growing plants and watching them thrive boosts self-esteem and provides a sense of purpose, it can also reduce anxiety symptoms as well as other mental health conditions. Gardening gives you a productive way to spend your time, which not only helps reduce feelings of boredom but also improves overall life satisfaction.

Engages the Senses and Promotes Mindfulness

Gardening is a multi-sensory experience that taps into your sense of sight, smell, touch, and hearing. The colours of flowers, the scent of herbs, the feel of soil in your hands, and the sound of birds and leaves rustling all help to center your focus in the present moment.

Supporting Local Wildlife

Gardening is such an incredible way to support local wildlife, and it goes beyond planting a few flowers. It's creating an environment where local wildlife can thrive. Native plants are perfect for our gardens, as they provide the most suitable food and shelter for birds, insects and small mammals; some wildflowers attract bees and butterflies, whilst trees and shrubs are nesting sites for birds.

Water features such as ponds or birdbaths can also make a big difference, offering a much-needed resource for drinking, bathing, and even breeding.

Incorporating a variety of plants that bloom at different times throughout the year ensures that food sources are available year-round, helping pollinators and other wildlife maintain their energy levels across seasons. Where you can avoid pesticides and opt for organic gardening methods.

Whether you have a small balcony or a sprawling yard, every garden can contribute to the well-being of local wildlife and the broader environment.

Community Gardening

Community gardening is about more than growing plants, it's about relationships, improving health, and building communities. When people come together to share a garden, they form strong social connections and create a sense of belonging. Gardening fosters collaboration, teamwork, and friendships, which help reduce social isolation and build a supportive, tight-knit community.

These gardens also provide access to fresh, nutritious food, which is especially valuable in neighborhoods with limited grocery options. By growing their own fruits and vegetables, community members not only improve their diets but also gain valuable skills in sustainable food production.

Beyond food, community gardens offer significant mental and physical health benefits. Gardening itself is a great form of low-impact exercise, and the act of working together outdoors helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

In addition to personal benefits, community gardens promote environmental awareness and sustainability. Participants learn about biodiversity, composting, and reducing food waste, all of which contribute to a greener planet. These gardens and public green spaces are not only spaces for growing food but also hubs for education and environmental stewardship that benefit everyone involved.

Why Gardening Matters for Everyone

Gardening offers far-reaching benefits that extend beyond just growing plants - it’s a powerful tool for improving physical health, boosting mental wellbeing, and connecting with nature.

Whether you have a large backyard or a small balcony garden, the positive impact of spending time with plants is undeniable. Gardening helps reduce stress, increase physical activity, and even support cognitive function, making it a holistic practice for overall health.

Beyond personal benefits, gardening is a great way to build community. Whether through shared garden spaces or community gardening projects, working together in green spaces fosters social connections, reduces isolation, and promotes healthier lifestyles. These gardens create environments where individuals can come together to share knowledge, grow food, and support one another.

Additionally, gardening supports local wildlife by creating habitats for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. It encourages biodiversity and sustainable practices, helping to protect the natural environment. Whether you’re planting native flowers or growing a vegetable patch, every garden contributes to a healthier ecosystem.

Whether for your own wellbeing or to support the local community, gardening is a practice that can truly transform lives.