With spring only weeks away, now is a great time to try your thumb at gardening!
The winter months can be tough. Between the long, dark days and the lack of vitamin D, many of us struggle to be active and stay positive through the winter blues.
If you need some self-care, outdoor gardening has numerous benefits for your physical and mental health. Here’s the dirt on how gardening can change your life for the better.
Ever wonder why people love gardening so much? It could have something to do with science. There are healthy bacteria that live in soil, known as M. vaccae, that can reduce feelings of anxiety and increase your serotonin levels. Even at an early age, being exposed to dirt can strengthen immune systems and prevent allergies. Who knew getting your hands dirty could be so good for you?
The therapeutic benefits of gardening are also found in the practice of caring for plants. Gardening requires that you slow down and focus on living things outside of yourself. You learn to become attentive to the small things by watching how your plants grow over time. And you begin to notice the subtle changes that indicate when your plants need care.
Gardening can also shift our perspectives around perfectionism. There’s a lot to learn when it comes to gardening. Much of what you learn comes slowly through trial and error. You try new things, make mistakes, and have fun doing it! This shift in your mindset can teach you to be more accepting of yourself and open to learning new things.
Then there are the physical health benefits of gardening. Whether you’re raking leaves, preparing garden beds, pruning plants or weeding overgrown areas, you sure get your exercise! After spending the winter being more sedentary, it feels good to get your body moving. (And you’ll get that vitamin D you need!)
If you’re new to gardening, we promise it’s not as intimidating as it looks. We recommend starting slow so you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by too much maintenance. Pick a few plants you want to grow and prepare a space where they’ll be happy based on their growing conditions. Check on them regularly to spot any problems. You’ll be surprised by how much you’ll learn!
As one of the leading Niagara and St. Catharines landscaping companies, our expert team is here to help you get your yard ready this spring! We’d be happy to work with you to freshen up your outdoor space. Our landscaping design experts can recommend greenery and garden options that are low maintenance and are friendly to beginner-gardeners too!
Visit our Design + Build to get a head start planning your project or reach out to us for a quote.
Tree Amigos is a full-service landscaping company experienced in creating award-winning landscapes in St. Catharines and throughout the entire Niagara region. Contact us to learn more about how our landscape design services can transform your property.
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