During these uncertain times, the one thing that has become evident is the significance of gardening to the general public. It is an important way of keeping people at home and safe.
We’ve always known it, but now it’s become more widely acknowledged. It can help keep you occupied and thus helps with mental health issues, keeps you physically fit and, also, helps you grow your own food, so supplementing the food chain.
As humans, we’re conditioned to be outdoors. There is some evidence to show that contact with nature calms us, grounds us and washes away the worries of the modern world.
Research has also shown that blood pressure and muscle tension drops when we’re in touch with the living world.
Our need to be ‘at one’ with nature is related to our evolution. It is deep down within us and the natural world has a massive impact on our brains. We all need to feel secure and it gives us a great sense of belonging and well-being.
Gardening is often a very physical pursuit and a good bit of digging or weeding can act as an extensive workout.
The activity uses all the major muscle groups and burns calories too. It’s a whole-body workout, strengthening the joints and increasing flexibility. Thirty minutes of weeding can apparently burn 180 calories.
Short bursts of gardening are good for you too. Within 10 minutes of getting out there, stress levels and blood pressure decreases. Forty minutes and the body’s immune system gets a tremendous boost.
One or two hours of gardening a day can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and other chronic illnesses too.
There are other benefits as well. For example, growing your own is good for you, as the freshness of homegrown produce means it is nutrient-rich so when you eat it you get a bigger hit.
The feedback our member garden centres have received from those that they are supporting locally has been extraordinarily positive, with some customers in tears, others just delighted to be able to chat over the phone when ordering.
It has been heart-warming to see the nation keeping calm and carrying on gardening at such a troubling time. It’s also been a massive boost to us all as, our interactions with our customers have revealed how vital garden centres are in the communities they serve. They are hubs for socialisation and provide emotional support to many.
If you’re gardening at home, send us your pictures and use the hashtag #keepcalmandgetreadytogarden.