PHOTO: NEIL HEPWORTH
I love the way gardening gives us exercise and headspace without having to plan for either. Gentle, repetitive movements from regular gardening strengthens our core and limbs. The focus needed on what we are doing, such as sowing seeds, picking crops, turning compost and being around nature, places our minds in a different state, taking us away from distractions of busy lives.
I’ve also noticed that by growing our own vegetables, fruit and herbs, we are inclined to eat more of them, which we know is good for us. Full of nutrition and fibre, homegrown edibles add to a healthy diet. This is enhanced when that food is grown organically, reducing the amount of chemical residues we ingest.