A green gardening lifestyle is hard to define, however for many avid gardening enthusiasts, it simply means a fair proportion of effort and struggle dedicated to growing food, using as little energy as possible, and being kind to the environment. The lifestyle of a gardener is essentially a self-imposed life spent in harmony with nature. Gardening entails doing things right from day one in an attempt to achieve sustainable agriculture, conservation of moisture, nutrients, and air. In addition, gardening involves a commitment to working hard year-round in order to maintain a healthy balance between plant growth and pest control. Gardening involves thinking about how plants will interact with each other and with the outside environment. Lastly, gardening is an art – a process where you are constantly learning and trying to improve your gardening skills and work within your growing limitations.
Gardening is definitely not for the faint-hearted. However, if you are up to the challenge and willing to work hard, gardening can provide you with a satisfying, low stress form of relaxation that you can enjoy for years. Gardening for me is not only fun; it is also good for my mental health. As I mentioned above, gardening is a lifestyle. If gardening is a lifestyle for you, there are a few things you can do to help you cultivate a positive mindset, keep gardening, and reap the physical rewards of gardening.
Building social capital. Gardening is an activity enjoyed by many different types of people from all walks of life. For instance, I have friends who enjoy gardening, and they know a great deal about the environmental benefits of home gardening. My co-workers at work know a lot about organic gardening, and they openly discuss gardening with their peers at work (and vice-versa!). Having social capital is essential to any lifestyle endeavor, and home gardening is no exception.
Maintaining a healthy mental health. Home gardening is, in itself, not a relaxing pastime, nor is it a way to escape from the stresses of daily life. In fact, gardening can be quite mentally stimulating, especially when you take part in activities such as vegetable gardening, fruit gardening, or flower gardening. Gardening can be quite mentally stimulating, and those with poor mental health can benefit greatly from maintaining a gardening hobby.
Developing a network of gardening acquaintances. I live in a rural area where there is plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to be enjoyed on a regular basis. It is rare for us to get out of the house for long periods of time, so having a small group of gardening friends at my home is always welcome. I also like being able to meet new people at the garden center, and meeting new people at the local cocktail tree provides me with an opportunity to make new friends.
The above are just a few reasons why owning a garden or participating in community gardens can improve your well-being. Lifestyle gardening provides you with an opportunity to improve your well-being while enriching your lifestyle. Lifestyle gardening is something that anyone can do; start your gardening adventure today!