#thegoodnessofgardening
All gardeners know how rewarding it is to spend time in the garden. But there are even more benefits than a sense of accomplishment. In broad strokes, we have found there are three primary areas where gardening can be benefit:
- Improved diet and physical activity from gardening helps fight a number of diseases
- Social interaction created by gardening improves overall mental health
- Scientific knowledge gained from gardening not only benefits one’s mind but also bring more earth/planet awareness
National Garden Bureau works closely with the American Horticulture Therapy Association as they are the only national US organization advocating for the development of the horticultural therapy profession and the practice of horticulture as therapy for human well-being. AHTA supports the professional development, education, and expertise of horticultural therapy practitioners. Individuals and organizations located across the US and beyond are members.
Following are a few research papers and articles from many sources on this topic that provide more details. Find your own ways to promote gardening by gathering details and citing any of the following publications.
Articles:
Dig into the benefits of gardening from Mayo Clinic
The Positive Effects of Gardening on Mental Health from Texas A&M Today
Does Gardening have Health Benefits? from The Ohio State University
Seed, Soil and Sun: Discovering the Many Healthful Benefits of Gardening from Healthline
Gardening can cultivate better mental health from ScienceDaily, based on research from the University of Florida
Gardening is beneficial for health from ScienceDirect
Research:
Gardening for health from the Royal College of Physicians
An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants from the Journal of Environmental Horticulture
An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: Part 2 Physiological Health Benefits from the Journal of Environmental Horticulture
An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: Part 3 Social Benefits from the Journal of Environmental Horticulture
An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: Part 4 Available Resources and Usage of Plant Benefits Information from the Journal of Environmental Horticulture
Social Media Graphics
Feel free to use these graphics! Simply download any graphic you wish to use for your own social channels.
NGB Blogs about the Benefits of Gardening
These are written for your use to share and use. All we ask is that you credit National Garden Bureau for the information.
Inspirational Videos
The following videos were all produced by recipients of the National Garden Bureau’s Therapeutic Garden Grant. Each video gives a brief explanation of their garden and the group of participants that they serve. All are sharable using the YouTube link.
Lee College’s Horticulture Program at the Huntsville Correctional Facility
Mary Free Bed Therapeutic Garden
Capper Foundation Gardens
Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital
Children’s Garden CFEC
Vera Scherer Garden
Shop for “The Goodness of Gardening” gifts, clothing and products on RedBubble with a choice of 8 designs:
