Spending time in the garden checks so many boxes for me:
✔ Exercise and calories burned to stay fit
✔ Time outdoors supports my mental health
✔ Low cost activity
✔ I can produce nutrient rich food that nourishes my body and those of my family
Gardening is a new hobby of mine, but I have always loved yard work. As silly as it may seem, even going outside to pull weeds in my front yardscape makes me feel better because it allows me to pause and just be outside with my plants. I get the chance to observe my neighborhood and say hello to neighbors. Or I enjoy the rare but welcome moments of solitude in my backyard fruit and vegetable garden. I love smelling the outdoors and the different plants I have in the ground like lavender, basil, parsley, and thyme. And I get so much enjoyment tending to their beauty and supporting their growth. I even enjoy the puzzle of tending to a sick plant that is not thriving.
Did you know that gardening burns a lot of calories, too? I can count this time as my daily exercise which is a huge bonus. I save money on landscaping costs, and then when it is time to harvest my fruits and vegetables I might save a little money on groceries, too. But eating the food I grow in my garden is absolutely priceless. I know that these foods are grown organically and I know they supply so many vitamins, minerals plus a lot of fiber.
My landscape and garden are not fancy; they definitely represent the work of a beginner. With two young boys and a busy medical practice I don’t get as much time in my yard as I would like. But the simple beauty of my plants brings me so much fulfillment and loads of other benefits.
If you are looking for ways to get more exercise and eat whole foods, then gardening might be the right hobby for you. If your home does not have space for a garden, there are often community gardens where you can participate in the work and enjoy the food that it produces.
