- Gardening is popular in the U.K., with 27 million people involved in some way.
- Gardening offers a range of mental and physical benefits, including stress relief, improved fitness, and better mental well-being.
- It also has environmental benefits such as reducing carbon dioxide levels and providing fresh, healthy produce.
- To get started, learn the essentials, find the right supplies, and visit a garden centre or nursery for expert advice.
Gardening is more than just a hobby in the U.K. It has become a lifestyle that many people enjoy immensely. Gardening has a unique way of bringing people together, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of nature, and providing mental and physical benefits, which are essential for overall health and well-being.
Gardening is helpful in keeping flowers, plants, and vegetables and for mental wellness. The advantages of gardening don’t just mean the active pursuit of weeding, planting, watering, and trimming. There are many other benefits to it. Here’s what you need to know about gardening and how to get started.
Gardeners in the U.K.
There is a growing amount of gardeners in the U.K. It’s estimated that about 27 million of the population are participating in gardening in some way. This has grown from just over half in 2006. Gardening is popular because of the rewards it can offer. Growing your food can be a great way to save money, enjoy fresh produce, and reduce our reliance on packaged foods. Here are the other benefits of gardening.
Stress Relief
Gardening is a well-known stress reliever, allowing you to relax while enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings. Studies have shown that spending time with nature can help reduce cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress. Moreover, gardening activities such as pruning, planting, digging, and watering, engage the body and the mind, providing a soothing effect.
Physical Benefits
Gardening is an excellent way to improve physical fitness. It can help you stay active and fit without hitting the gym. Gardening activities, such as digging, planting, and mowing, help burn calories whilst providing a good workout for your muscles. Furthermore, gardening also helps reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Mental wellbeing
Gardening can significantly impact your mental health. It is an excellent way to relax, unwind, and de-stress your mind. Additionally, gardening offers social benefits. It can help bring people together and make you feel less isolated. You can share knowledge, develop new friendships, and form a community spirit by joining a gardening group.
Environmental Benefits
Gardening brings several environmental benefits. For instance, planting trees and flowers can help reduce carbon dioxide levels, contributing to cleaner air quality and reducing the impact of climate change. Additionally, growing crops can help reduce food miles and provide fresh, healthy produce free of pesticides and chemicals.
Learning Opportunities
Gardening provides the opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge. By taking up gardening, you can develop your problem-solving and creative skills and learn about different varieties of plants and crops. Moreover, gardening provides an excellent learning opportunity for children, teaching them about environmental stewardship and offering a hands-on approach to learning.
How to Get Started in Gardening
Now that you know the numerous benefits of gardening, here’s how to start.
Learn the Essentials
The first step is for you to learn the essentials. To plant crops, you’ll need to know about soil quality, what different plants need to thrive, and other necessary gardening knowledge. You can also research a variety of garden designs that will fit your space and find information on what types of tools you’ll need and how to use them correctly.
If you want to have some trees in your garden, you’ll need to learn about the types of trees, the best way to plant them, and how to care for them. Thankfully, you can take affordable tree surgery courses to learn these things. Taking these courses should help you learn how to take care of trees, especially if an existing tree in your garden needs extra attention.
Find the Right Supplies
Once you’ve learned the essentials, it’s time to find the right supplies for your gardening journey. This includes both tools and plants. If starting from scratch, you’ll need a shovel, rake, pruning shears, and other necessary tools. Depending on what you plan to grow in your garden, you’ll also need to find the right plants.
Visit a Garden Centre or Nursery
When looking for supplies, visiting your local nursery or garden centre is best. Here, you can get advice from experts and even buy pre-planted containers. By visiting a nursery, you have access to a range of plants that you can use to create your dream garden.
Gardening is an excellent hobby that offers many benefits. From stress relief to physical health and environmental contributions, it’s no wonder why so many people in the U.K. are involved in this activity. Now that you know more about gardening, why not give it a go? With the right knowledge, supplies, and dedication, you can create a beautiful garden that will last many years.