Gardening: Mind, Body, Wallet

I was going to start by saying something along the lines of "it's that time of year", "fresh summer produce" or "put your yard to work", etc...Then realized gardening is not just about produce, a time of year or something only people with a yard can do.  It can be done year round, the "work" is actually HIGHLY beneficial, and you don't need a yard to enjoy a garden.  I grew up snacking out of my family's garden. Sitting in the sun munching on fresh strawberries and cherry tomatoes sticks out in my head.  Sad to say, when I headed off to college, gardens were the last thing on my mind.  Not knowing it's one thing that could have been great for my mind, body and very small college sized wallet!  I now keep four raised beds full during season, and some herbs year round.  Lets start with the mind.  Ever heard of Horticultural Therapy, or HT?  It is a formal practice that uses plants, horticultural activities, and the garden landscape to promote well-being for its participants. Now of course this is an actual therapy used by psychologists, but the same benefits can be gained by home gardening.  Kind of like meditating/stretching at home instead of going to the gym for yoga. It has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression to name very few.  It's actually even been linked to benefiting those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.  Now on to the body.  The benefits are many, and affect the inside and outside of our bodies we try so hard to take care of.  Obviously gardening is physical work and so calories are burned.  It also helps with finger dexterity and general flexibility.  Not to mention the Vitamin D uptake when caring for your full sun gardens. Consuming food from your garden is literally exactly what our bodies need:  WHOLE FOODS.  Before there was a McDonald's or Taco Bell on every corner, people GREW their own food!  Shocking, I know.  It is sustainable living at it's finest.  Not to mention the amazing feeling of knowing YOU grew this juicy tomato, strawberry, or cucumber etc. You have control of what you use to grow and what not to use (pesticides, no thanks!).  Now for the wallet.

The nonprofit National Gardening Association just produced a study -- sponsored by ScottsMiracle-Gro Co. -- that found the average family with a vegetable garden spends just $70 a year on it and grows an estimated $600 worth of vegetables.  Not to mention the good you'll be doing for the environment by lessening the effects of industrial farms.  Now go get those hand in some dirt!