Dig in – it’s good for you in so many ways

There’s been an explosion of interest in growing your own food, but with such a wide variety of people doing it, it’s interesting to think about all the different reasons why this trend has blossomed.

FOR YOUR H EALTH

People are often surprised to discover how healthy gardening can be. Numerous studies have linked it to lower risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Gardening ranges from low(light planting or weeding) to high-intensity (heavy lifting and pulling) exercise. Unlike exercises such as jogging or weight-training, which tend to focus on specific muscle groups, gardening includes so many types of activity that it usually provides a well-balanced workout.

A study by the University of Iowa found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activities — planting, pruning, or weeding — burn approximately 200 calories for men and 150 for women. And you don’t even need to leave your yard to do it; there are no membership fees and you don’t have to wait in line at a busy row of treadmills.

The number of calories we burn may be the most quantifiable health benefit of gardening, but it’s certainly not the only one. The pride we feel after an hour of good gardening ripples through our lives and improves our mental health in countless ways.

Gardeners tend to sleep better after having spent their evenings in the fresh air instead of on the couch in front of a TV screen. Canadians spend about four hours a day watching television. If we spent even a fraction of that time in the garden, we’d be rewarded with a healthier lifestyle and a more positive state of mind.

Gardening connects us to the Earth. Feeling moist soil between our fingers nourishes us in ways impossible to measure. It yields rewards far above having fresh tomatoes or burning calories. It re-affirms our connection with nature and our place within it.

FOR THE K I DS

We may be in the midst of an epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes, conditions that stem largely from a lack of exercise and poor eating habits. But at the greenhouse I meet young families who are dedicated to raising their children with an appreciation for growing plants, eating fresh vegetables and the magic of nature overall. Teaching your children how to grow peas and tomatoes doesn’t cost anything, and the rewards will echo throughout their lives.

Dora and Patrick Berry live on a mature street just outside Edmonton. Dora is a full-time mom who spends as much time as possible in the garden with daughters Sofia and Vienna. She told me that she wants them to have “an appreciation for gardening, for growing their own fruits and vegetables, and to learn how plants grow.”

My generation (I was born in 1978) grew up during a period of massive technological change. We understand that while advances such as the Internet have benefits, they can also isolate us from the wonders of the natural world. As we become parents, many of us are turning off the flashing screens and taking the kids outside.

As Dora says, “All you need is soil, a pot and some seeds and you’ll have so much fun.”

FOR THE WALLET

In 2008, the U.S. and Canada were hit with a recession that made many of us ask ourselves whether or not, if we lost our jobs, we had the skills to support ourselves and our families on very little income.

Knowing how to grow a vegetable garden is a big part of financial self-sufficiency, and since the recession a lot of people have taken it upon themselves to learn.

Growing food really is like growing money. By planting some seeds and investing a little bit of time and effort, a family can save hundreds of dollars on the grocery bill. Of course, the varieties you grow have a lot to do with how much money you save.

Chances are you’re not going to harvest enough olives off an olive tree to break even, but varieties such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, garlic, and beans are like high-interest investments.

Whatever your reason, make this the summer you get out in the garden and give it a try.