Does growing your own improve your health?

[Laura Hillier]

Hi everyone,

Here at the GYO office we love our plots and enjoy planting and harvesting, but do you think that growing your own improves your health? What do you think the benefits are (or are not)?

Your answers may be edited and published in the April issue of GYO.

[VirginVegGrower]

Without a doubt...all of that exercise, digging, hoeing, weeding, bending, planting. Not to mention the fresh air and vitamin D. Even better fresh and more importantly, nutrient packed ORGANIC fruit and veg that hasn't been GMd, sprayed or processed. What's not healthy about that lot?

[Aberdeenplotter]

I agree that the physical exercise and fresh air is highly beneficial, additionally the GYO'er is able to harvest fruit and veg fresh and so there is no loss of quality between plot and plate. If growing on an allotment, there is also a huge benefit from community which has helped many people suffering from depression and like illnesses to recover. I would go on about the other benefits of allotments but you have asked specifically about health so I will stop at that

[Sheneval]

100% agree with the two previous posts by VVG & AP - since I started work on my new plot on November 24th I have been out in the fresh air for all but 7 days out of 7 weeks, even on New Years Day and greatly feel the benefits of the exercise including some weight loss.

[horticultural_hobbit]

I think the benefits of gardening extend beyond the physical. I firmly believe that it also improved your intellectual, social and emotional health. There are many now under threat community initiatives that use gardening as way to improve mental health. Something that is not as widely publicised as it should be. It has many rehabilitative properties, that many people within society can attest to.

[scarletrunner]

I agree with all of the above comments, from personal experience the only health downside for me is a couple of garden related accidents!.

[Thelma Sanders]

I know I tend to seize up during the winter months of inactivity and can get very down with SAD.

My muscles are all quite sore at the start of the year - but soon settle down, and I feel so much better for a bit of work in the fresh air

[mothhawk]

It's not just fresh organic food, it's not just the exercise, it's not just the fresh air. It's the whole experience - it engages all five senses.

The smell of newly turned earth, or flowers, or cut grass, or the green smell of pulled weeds, the smell of rain, because, yes, you can smell it, before it comes, in the air, and the smell of damp earth when the rain stops. Bucketfuls of free aromatherapy.

Then touch - the velvet feel of a rose petal, the rough bark of a tree, the damp warm heat of composting grass clippings.

Sight - green is purported to be the most relaxing colour to our eyes, it makes us feel good, and nature gives us more greens than we can count.

Sound - the soft warble of a blackbird watching you turn over the soil and hoping you'll unearth a worm or two, the humming of bees around the flowers, the sussuration of a breeze through the leaves on the trees.

And of course, taste - the first sun-warmed strawberry, a handful of fresh peas newly podded, a sage leaf or a mint leaf, idly chewed as you walk around the garden.

How can that experience not raise the spirits and benefit the body?

[planetologist]

I agree absolutely. Sure, there are physical health benefits, but the mental health benefits of directly participating in natural cycles, maintaining mental flexibility to the unexpected, and integrating the immediacy of finding an overwintering great crested newt or squishing a bunch of caterpiller to the long-term commitment of growing nut trees, those are much more important to me.

[binley100]

I agree with everything already said and I'm sure I've received all my health and exercise benefits etc but the biggest improvement I've had from growing my own is confidence ........I wouldn't have said boo to a budgie let alone a goose before I started on my allotment..

[Sheneval]

I wouldn't have said boo to a budgie let alone a goose before I started on my allotment..

I hope VC is not going to use this excuse

[veggiechicken]

Shen, I'm very shy actually - honest

[Feral007]

I didn't do the poll because you don't have a combined answer. I think the chemical free organic style of food is very important, to us anyway.
I agree the exercise is good. But since I have a hefty teenager it also helps with keeping family communications going - Dig that up for me will you? Pack some onions while I chop will you? Whose turn is it to water the garden? Surely, it's yours?

But I also love being outside. Its frustrating trying to cope without chemicals or physical barriers and the pests and birds. But it's also challenging. And a huge relaxing time can be spent sitting and watching things grow - nothing more likely to help you settle a troubled mind.

[kathycam]

I think doctors should prescribe growing your own fruit and veg. There is so many benefits- fresh air, exercise and healthy food being the main ones. But also getting to know nature, making friends, getting outside, relaxing and overal wellbeing too. At our allotment Eva is living proof, 101 and still going strong and still has a full size plot, putting many youngsters to shame.

[alldigging]

I think allotments should be available on prescription!
I really believe that they can help change people's lives. The physical activity is just one side of how they help, the social side can be great too. Planting seeds and getting things to grow is really rewarding.
The being outside and getting sunshine is important too.

Keeping the mind and body active is important for good health whatever age you are.
There should be more allotments in the UK!

Getting stuck into some serious digging is a really good way of getting some peace and quiet to think properly.