Gardening comrades, help us in sparking an urban gardening revolution! From streets to rooftops, GardenTags and the RHS are on a mission to Green Grey Britain. 

Natalie Miller is a self-taught gardener who likes sharing her thoughts and insights on gardening. She believes it is the most natural, inherent form of art. And encourages anyone to try it and experience the uplifting effect of this green activity.

Horticultural Therapy
Why Urban Gardening is Good for You

Life in the city can be stressful. With the constant commuting, noise and pollution on top of every day life, it’s important to relax and refresh. Taking up a hobby that allows you to forget, even for a while, about your everyday troubles may turn out to be a lot more beneficial than you think. Horticulture is certainly such an avocation.

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And it is suitable for people regardless of their job, age, gender, etc. Besides being a truly enjoyable activity, gardening has many other advantages that can help people from all social groups feel, look, communicate and live better.

Stress Relief

Taking care of a plant you have created yourself helps you escape from the monotonous routine that everyday life often requires. No longer will you have to consistently dwell on your work problems. You will have a chance to focus on a task that requires your full attention, and is not a part of your routine. Plus, feeling connected to nature and breathing cleaner air is great way to give your mind a few relaxing hours. For some people, even the thought that they will not have to handle pressing job problems elicits positive emotions and a feel of freedom. But gardening is helpful not only to workers. Many researchers have proven that even walking in a cheerful garden significantly improves elders’ mental health.

Physical Health

Gardening is not a sport. Yet, Horticultural Therapy can be equally contributive to people’s physical health.  The simplest gardening tasks are better than staying in front of the computer all day. Encourage the physical activity of your children by inviting them to help you.

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This way you will also spend more time together. You can create some gardening games to play often with your kids. Thus, making this hobby more appealing to them. A little exercise in a supported gardening project is a great way to burn those extra calories from yesterday’s desert too.

Achievement

Everyone loves the feeling of achievement. Many people feel better when they have the opportunity to actually see the results of their work. Those who have chosen gardening as their hobby are lucky to literally enjoy the fruits of their labor. It doesn’t matter whether you grow vegetables, herbs, plants or flowers. Once they grow healthy and beautiful you will see what exactly your hands and mind have achieved.

Nutrition

All living organisms, from the youngest to the eldest, need fresh food. Cue horticultural therapy and grow your own vegetables. If you grow fruits and vegetables on your own, you can be 100 % sure that they are not treated with chemicals. Moreover, it is a lot easier to pick the products for your salad right from the garden than go shopping for them.

Gardening is a hobby with many benefits. One of which is related to sheer cost. Horticultural therapy at home is inexpensive with little financial investment. A few tools can be enough for you to take care of your beloved plants. What is important is the willingness and devotion involved. So take care of your plants properly and they will surely reward you. No matter who you are.

Do you have something to say?

If you have a point of view or a story to tell, put it down in a blog or a video. And send it to us at growrev@gardentags.com. We’ll be posting guest blogs at www.gardentags.com/growrevURBAN, so you have a chance to inspire others.

Here’s the official disclaimer bit… The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of GardenTags. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this guest blog post are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations.