Celebrating National gardening day

​Technically, I missed National Gardening Day which was yesterday, April 14th.  But that's okay, I think we should turn it into a weekend celebration! 

​Honestly, for me it's a daily celebration year-round.  Even in the winter, while I might not be out in my garden actively growing things or enjoying the garden, I'm most definitely planning ahead for the coming season and dreaming up new ideas and projects.

To encourage you to jump into gardening if you aren't already obsessed, and to remind those of us that are in deep already why we do it, I wanted to share 10 Reasons Why Gardening is Good for You.
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​Whether you have acres and acres to work with, or just a small balcony or bay window and a few pots, the case can easily be made that gardening is good for your Mind, Body, and Soul.
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​10 Reasons why gardening is good for you
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Gardening for your Mind

# 1  Social Connection.  Gardening brings people together and creates community.  Share it with your family and neighbors whether it's the  bounty from what you've grown, or the process of creating that space.  Social networks are the glue in life.  

# 2  Stress Management  Just being outside, to be honest, is known to improve your mood and reduce stress.  And if you are engaged in doing something creative and fun it will only motivate you to spend more time outside.  Gardening for many is a meditative and centering activity.

# 3  Satisfaction. I don't know anyone who doesn't feel joy and satisfaction from watching something they planted grow and thrive.  Gardening lets you exercising your creative juices.  When you watch your efforts develop and your garden grow, you will build self-esteem and pleasure in a task well done.

Gardening for your Body

# 4  Fresh Air.  If you are fortunate enough to have a private garden space, or even just a small balcony, working on your garden gets you outside.  In the fresh air.  Sun, and fresh air, and vitamin-D generated by the ultra-violet rays that also feed the plants is good for your well-being.

# 5  Excercise.  If it's just a small pot or two on a window-sill, this one may not apply.  But virtually any other size garden will have you moving and stretching and possibly even hauling heavy loads of soil and digging holes.  Moving is a good thing and something we should all do more of.  And, gardening, is something you can do your entire life - even when you're a bit stiff and getting older - with just a few modifications.

# 6  Immunity Booster.  We've probably all heard about the studies that show that early exposure to the land and gardening creates a healthier immune system.  Exposure to dirt and microbes is said to reduce allergies and risks for autoimmune disorders.  So get in there and get dirty!

# 7  Freshness and flavor.  If you choose to garden with culinary herbs or fruits and vegetables, you won't believe what you've been missing at the grocery store.  How many times have we all heard that a fresh tomato still warm from the sun isn't even remotely like the ones you can buy at the store.  Plus it's budget friendly if you grow your food from seed.

Gardening for your Soul

# 8   Wildlife.  Gardens bring wildlife for the food and shelter that your space offers.  When you start to attract wildlife, you ultimately create a boost to the local ecosystem and can even improve the micro-climate of your little corner of the world.  It's a joy to watch birds and butterflies flourish in your garden (assuming they don't eat your strawberries!).

#9   Environment.  If you choose to garden organically (which you should), and if you are adding trees and native waterwise plants to your space, you are improving the balance in your little ecosystem and helping the larger environment.

# 10  Beauty.  Gardens and nature are aesthetically pleasing and often gardens can be truly a work of art.  I often say that there is pure joy in beautiful surroundings.  Create your own garden in a way that you find charming and appealing and spend time there every day just observing it.
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​It's not about how large, or productive, or perfect your garden is that matters most. 

It's just that you take some time to explore the creative and hands-on activity of planting something and nurturing it along. 

I believe, it's one of the most intimate ways to connect with this planet that we live on and the life that comes from it. 

​Go ahead - get your hands in the dirt.  
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Want more ideas?

If you are looking for more inspiration for your own mountain garden, perhaps you'd like to explore our Garden Resources.

Garden Resources

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Thanks so much for following along.  I hope you found a little motivation in one or two of these ideas.  Even if you're not new to gardening, maybe this will remind you why you fell in love with it when you first started.  

Personally, I find gardening to be my truest solace.  That along with working at my glass torch.  

Let me know what you think in the comments below.  I'd love to hear.

​~Miriam