While many of us are stuck at home doing our best to social distance and make the most of stay-at-home orders, some are taking to gardening and landscaping as an outlet for creativity and energy.
According to the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, there has been a significant “increase in consumer interest in horticulture, house plants, improving curb appeal, upgrading/renovating backyards for staycations, edible gardening, cut flowers, and other green industry activities.”
Not only is gardening a great way to use the new-found time, but there are also many benefits that make it a great way to handle the uncertainty of our times. Spending time outside can be a great family activity, or if you prefer a great way to find some peace and quiet alone.
We’re here to help! At Hidden Creek Landscaping we understand the benefits that come with increase time outdoors. Our experts are available to help you design a plan that makes the most of your efforts, helping you to create the perfect outdoor oasis.
Why should I consider gardening and landscaping while stuck at home?
Imagine being outside, the fresh breeze whispering around, the sun warm on your face. Connecting with the earth by patting the soil around a freshly planted flower. And think of the satisfaction of personally creating your own vegetable garden or a lush outdoor oasis that gives you space and comfort to relax outdoors.
As we grapple with the effects of the pandemic and rethink how we spend our time at home, gardening and landscaping have never felt so beneficial and rewarding as now. Gardening is a great way to regroup and relax during stressful times. It has many benefits that you may appreciate even after “social distancing” becomes a thing of the past.
Plus, if you plant and nurture a vegetable garden, one of the best fringe benefits is a steady supply of food! Farm-to-table has been trendy at restaurants for some time. Now you can have your own harvest-to-table experience right at home.
Your shelves and pantry could overflow with fresh produce. If you plan properly, a steady supply of food like kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, collard greens, and the like could be available even through the winter.
Are there any health benefits to gardening and landscaping?
Without question! Depending on the type of gardening you do, you will at a minimum achieve a level of exercise. It’s not running a marathon, but all kinds of gardening and landscaping require a certain degree of physical activity.
Digging, kneeling, raking, and lifting things over and over again increases the heart rate and blood flow, all while improving your range of motion and working out your muscles. Since gardening and landscaping don’t have to be high-intensity workouts, they are a perfect form of exercise for those who may have physical difficulties, are out of shape, or have other physical challenges.
It’s also a great way to build hand strength and dexterity. Gardening and landscaping conditions hand muscles, keeping them agile and strong. One tip is to alternate between the right and left hands while gardening so that both get a great workout.
Gardening and landscaping have also been shown to improve immune system functions. When you are washing the dirt out from under your fingernails it may not seem likely, but gardening and landscaping is one of the “cleanest” activities you can do. The bacteria commonly found in garden dirt has been proven to help alleviate symptoms of allergies, psoriasis, asthma, and is even known to decrease anxiety levels.
Are there mental health benefits to gardening and landscaping?
Indeed there are. A recent study found that participating in activities like gardening and landscaping can reduce the risk of dementia in older people, and it is known that gardening is beneficial for those with depression and stress.
The therapeutic properties of planting and watching things grow helps us to be in touch with our environment, creating a beneficial response and bettering our mental health.
Gardening and landscaping also decrease stress levels. It has been shown to decrease cortisol levels and improve your mood. Cortisol is commonly known as the primary stress level. By decreasing your stress level, you become more relaxed, further boost your immune function, and make you more energetic and productive.
Also, the confidence and satisfaction of watching your harvest grow, your plants flourish, and your yard look the best it ever has is a decided mental health benefit!
We’re here to help! If you are looking to get started but don’t know how, or if you just need some advice on design or the best plants for our region, the experts at Hidden Creek Landscaping are available to assist you in creating the perfect outdoor space to spend time at home.
