By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
For as long as I can remember, my mom has always loved gardening. Any time that I get the chance, I love to go out and help her pick vegetables, water, and even pull weeds. There is just something about being outside in the sun doing some work and being rewarded with fresh fruits and veggies that is so relaxing and enjoyable. According to a recent study, gardening is actually very good for our health and in more ways than one.
Plus, fall and winter gardening in Arizona is actually a really fun time to garden, especially since the weather is so much nicer outside. Fill Your Plate’s seasonal charts let you know what grows best in the seasons.
The study which was published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that those who spent time gardening usually experienced the following health benefits:
- Reduced stress and anxiety levels
- Increased fiber intake due to greater vegetable consumption
- Increased physical activity
These can also contribute to reduced inflammation, improved immune system, improved metabolism, and also help to prevent obesity and manage weight. Not to mention, gardening also provides you with a bunch of fresh fruit and vegetables to enjoy and use in your cooking!
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has lots of great resources on gardening here in Arizona! They have a great planting guide that helps you know what to plant and when to plant it based on your region! Check it out here! Plus, Extension also hosts a Master Gardener program.
Interested in more gardening articles? Check out the Fill Your Plate blog!