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Having a garden at home comes with loads of perks. It’s not just about growing your fresh produce, though that’s a win, but the act of gardening itself is fantastic for your mental health. Many studies back this up, including one from the British Physiological Society. And, of course, there’s your outdoor space, which you can take advantage of to de-stress and simply be in the moment. It’s truly a luxury, so let’s make the most out of it, shall we?
With these garden therapy ideas, you can do something positive for yourself and your overall well-being. Whether you’re trying your hand at growing plants, sprucing up landscaping, or using a garden room as your own little retreat, there’s plenty of inspiration to get you started.
Best Activities for Gardening Mental Health & the Benefits
Gardening is about growing, cultivating, and looking after plants, often done as a hobby and for relaxation. Engaging in it has been shown to promote emotional well-being. On a personal level, for one, it can bring a sense of joy and accomplishment, along with the pride that comes from watching the plants thrive. It also appears to have a similar positive impact on reducing stress, anger, fatigue, as well as depression and anxiety.
And what’s great about gardening is that there’s something for everyone, no matter your needs and skill level. You can pick activities that suit you best, such as:
Planting and growing
This is pretty much the heart of gardening: putting seeds, bulbs, or young plants into the soil and looking after them as they grow. Here are a few ideas of what you can cultivate—things that will bring fresh food to your table, your garden to life, and give you something to look forward to tending to every day.
You could start with healthy greens like tomatoes, carrots, or courgettes and make yourself a vegetable garden. If you have room to spare, fruits like strawberries, apples, or raspberries are great additions, too. Herbs are perfect if you’re tight on space; basil, thyme, or mint do well in pots or beds. And don’t forget to add a splash of colour with flowers like tulips, roses, or daisies.
Once you’re locked in, it becomes a mindful activity where you switch off, unwind, and connect with nature. After all, a thriving garden isn’t just good for the belly, but also for the body and mind.
Weeding and tidying
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Weeds can be annoying and tedious to remove, especially when there’s a lot of them. But if we look at it as an opportunity to get out, get our hands in the soil, and tend to our plants, it turns into a rewarding challenge.
Weeding is when you clear out weeds that would otherwise compete with your plants for nutrients, sunlight, and water. It can be a quick task or a bigger job if the weeds have spread across your garden. We definitely don’t want that, so try to make weeding a regular part of your gardening routine.
As you pull the weeds, it requires your full attention. Without realising it, you’re clearing your mind and being present in the moment. Plus, it gets you bending, stretching, and using your hands, which is great for your body. And that feeling of satisfaction after clearing them all and seeing the garden tidier than ever? Totally worth it.
Harvesting
Ah, the highlight of gardening: reaping what you sow! This is when your crops or plants have reached their peak, and it’s time to collect them. The golden rule is to harvest when the fruits or vegetables are fully ripe. It won’t always be all at once, and the timing will depend on what you’re growing.
If you can, try to harvest early in the morning when it’s cooler, as this helps keep things fresh. For herbs and leafy greens, only pick what you need and leave some behind so they can keep growing.
On your end, it’s the ultimate reward for all the effort and care you’ve put in. It also gives you a real sense of gratification, knowing you’ve grown something from scratch. Here you are, picking, pulling, and cutting—it’s all yours!
Landscaping
If you want to switch things up from just tending to your plants and get into beautifying your garden, landscaping is the way to go. You can design and shape your outdoor space to make it look exactly how you want, all while making it more functional. This garden activity doesn’t have to break the bank either, and we have a few DIY ideas for you to try, like:
- Building a pathway: Working on a project like this helps you focus on something productive. Keep it simple with a gravel path, or challenge yourself with a stone or brick design. Not only will the final result add beauty and value to your garden, but it’ll also get you moving and encourage physical activity along the way.
- Create a raised garden bed: Garden beds are brilliant if you’re limited in space or have poor soil conditions. They’re pretty easy to put together, don’t need any materials, and you can tweak the size, shape, and height to fit what you’re after. Making one is also a great excuse to get stuck into some physical activity, boosting your mood. We’d recommend having a separate bed for your veggies, herbs, or flowers to give your garden more structure.
- Set up an outdoor seating area: This is a great way to mix things up from your usual gardening routine. With the right garden furniture, you can create a lovely spot to kick back and enjoy all your hard work. Whether you go for a DIY garden bench or treat yourself to a rattan corner sofa set, it gives you a place to take a breather and escape the hustle and bustle. It’s well worth it down the line, being outside more, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air—just what you need to reset.
Summer house or log cabin addition
A garden isn’t quite complete without an outdoor building like a summer house or log cabin to use as a retreat or extra living space. It’s a great way to switch gears from gardening and take on a fun, hands-on project.
If you want to keep it simple, you can go for a pre-made, ready-to-assemble unit. But if you’re up for the challenge, the DIY route lets you put your own stamp on things. Either way, the best part is creating your dream garden hideaway. From planning the layout and picking the style to painting and decorating, the entire process is a creative outlet that can be fulfilling.
Once it’s all set up, your summer house or log cabin can work wonders for your confidence and mood. It’s the perfect spot to unwind on your own, enjoy a quiet read, or even pick up a new hobby. You could also use it for laid-back afternoons with a cuppa, as a base for family fun, or to host small get-togethers.
It’s one of those projects that keeps on giving long after the last nail’s been hammered in.
Round-up
Planting and growing is the core of gardening—not just great for fresh food, but also for your body and mind. Weeding can be a satisfying challenge, and there’s harvesting, where you get to enjoy the fruits (or veg!) of your hard work. If you fancy a change, try landscaping or even building a summer house or log cabin for a creative project.
These are just some of the ways gardening and spending time outdoors can benefit your mental health and overall well-being. It’s something anyone, from kids and adults to older folks, can enjoy and make part of daily life.
Don’t forget to treat yourself to a quality shed as your gardening companion and storage solution—you deserve it!
