When the world was plunged headfirst into lockdown in March 2020, no one could have foreseen how isolated we would become. With the possibility of a sunny holiday being snatched from our fingers, more and more people have been looking closer to home for their relaxation and family time. In the last year, many people have grown to appreciate having their own outdoor green spaces, and subsequently many people have become more interested in gardening.
Gardens themselves serve many purposes: they can be cultivated for flowers or growing food; used as spaces for exercise, relaxation, solace, and recovery; as well as being used as a place to play to involve the younger generations in the great outdoors.
According to a recent study by Gardens Illustrated, the UK has planted 322 million more plants in 2020 than in 2019. With £5.4 billion being spent on outdoor spaces in the last year, it seems that we really have been getting our hands dirty. But what can our growing interest in our back gardens mean for our health?
The King’s Fund, an independent charity working to improve health and care in England, released a publication in 2016 discussing the positive relationship between gardening and health. Increasing people’s exposure to green spaces is linked to long-term interactions in overall reported health problems including heart disease, cancer, and musculoskeletal conditions. It is also said to reduce levels of obesity and high physical activity, and higher self-related mental health. Similarly, the Royal Horticultural Society has noted that the number of calories burnt from 30 mins of gardening is comparable to playing badminton, volleyball, or practising yoga for the same amount of time – further displaying the benefits gardening can have on our physical health.
The benefits of being in our gardens run much deeper than exercise. Not only does gardening encourage physical benefits, but it also gives us a much needed break from screen time and working from home, things that have become an ever-increasing part of our lives during the pandemic. Gardening has been found to have a significant effect on our mental health; research has shown a sizeable reduction in depression, anxiety, and an improvement in social functioning for those who have listed gardening as a hobby. Spending time out in the fresh air is always good for us; however, having a task to focus on, such as organising a flower bed or setting up a bird feeder, both relaxes and focuses the mind. Becoming involved in gardening with other people further benefits us by making the activity a sociable one.
Due to gardening being on the rise and more of us developing an interest in the best ways to become more greenfingered, we have highlighted a few ways that the whole family can get involved in the garden.
As many of us will not be able to travel abroad for our summer holidays this year, we are swapping pool sides for pond sides, and finding new ways to encourage families to come together as the weather gets warmer. Water can bring a magical quality to your garden and is a brilliant way to introduce children to the creatures that may live within it. Not all gardens come equipped with a pond, but the RSPB has created a step-by-step guide to ensure that everyone can get involved with this fun family activity. All that is needed is a watertight container, some gravel, and some plants before you can enjoy exploring what lies in the water with all the family. The RSPB also have a range of Bug and Bee Hotel options to further entice your little ones to discover the wildlife that lies at the bottom of our gardens.
Another brilliant way to participate in fun gardening activities is to create your own bird feed and then watch as your feathered friends come and visit. Although a safari adventure in Africa may have been the original plan, while the pandemic prevails that plan might need to be saved until next year. We may need to replace exotic wildlife with the native of our own green spaces. A quick and easy way to make bird cakes is by collating birdseed, lard and raisins or nuts in a bowl. Pop the mixture in some cling film and roll it into a ball. Leave to set then unwrap and watch the birds gather.
It is apparent that during the pandemic we have loved to spend more time in our gardens than ever before, and with all the health benefits that come with gardening, who can blame us. We hope this trend continues into 2021 and gardening becomes a more popular activity for everyone.
