Garden Day: The Benefits of Gardening!

​You may wonder why Jarad and I continually prattle on about gardening. If you do, it probably means you’re not a gardener yourself. Most of the gardeners we know kinda can’t help but wax on about varieties, heirloom seeds, the best fertilizers, and whether or not you can squeeze a drift rose into a spot with only four hours of sun. We are also writers and readers…this combination means garden posts for you! At least we don’t collect vacuum cleaners or take pictures of roundabouts.

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But today we are no longer satisfied with simple loquacity, we have crossed the border into proselyting. Here’s Jarad on the benefits of gardening.

At this point in time, I believe I’ve prattled on about plants to the point where my friends and family are in danger of becoming homicidal. (Guys, if you do decide to kill me, at least bury me under the vegetables). Aside from actually being annoyed to death by an overly enthusiastic plant fiend, there are benefits to being a gardener. Here are some that I have discovered. 

The first and biggest benefit is health, both physical and mental. You do physical labor in the garden, and of course that’s good for you, but you also improve your mental state, whether through the release of endorphins, or just at the pleasure of seeing a successful plant. Anecdotally, I can say that gardening always puts me in a better disposition.

In relation to that, gardening also relives stress and anxiety. There’s a sort of meditative calm that comes from working in the soil, one that I have greatly benefited from. Also, just the act of being outside, soaking up the sun and breathing the fresh air can do a lot for the state of one’s mind.
It also provides a concrete sense of accomplishment that I enjoy. There’s always something to do, save perhaps in the dead of winter, and that is a reason not to sit on a couch all day or get lost in a fog of gloom, because you’ve given yourself tasks that need to be accomplished.

If you grow your own vegetables, then the garden can provide more for you than just a pleasant view. Everything, and I do mean everything, is better fresh, and having a plethora of vegetables and fruits at your disposal is helpful in that regard. Although, if you grow tomatoes, be mindful of actually using them, otherwise you may find yourself with piles of tomatoes and no clue what to do! That was my situation in July, I found myself putting them in everything and every meal. I almost overdid homegrown tomatoes…something I didn’t know was possible.

I’ve struggled with sleeping for most of my life. I can be exhausted and still my mind wants to whir into the wee hours of the morning. Exercise helps me sleep better, and a good days work in the garden ensures that I actually get a decent rest.
 
 

Bio
Jarad is the co-administrator and writer for Sacred Chickens, attends college at MTSU, loves tea and coffee, and tries to spend every spare second reading. He recently developed an interest (some might say obsession) with gardening. Jarad is an English major with a concentration in literature.  Bless his heart!  Let's all light a candle for him and send him happy thoughts!

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