Gardening is a worldwide experience with a plethora of advantages–from the simple joy of growing your own fruits and vegetables to the economic and health benefits. There are many reasons people opt for homegrown produce. Some do it due to the dietary benefits, environmental friendliness, or simply because it tastes better. Regardless of motivation, producing one’s own food can be an extremely rewarding journey.
Beyond the happiness gained from growing one’s own food, gardening offers numerous health benefits. Growing fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables allows someone to have a nutrient-rich diet. Even though gardening does wonders for dietary habits, it can also benefit many other things.
“It is good for your mental and physical health,” states Tim Bulster, employee at Coos Head Food Co-op. “Gardening helps you get outside and time outside is good for stress, anxiety, and clearing your mind. You also spend a lot of time getting up and down, carrying heavy things and moving things around; so all of that is good for your physical health too.”
Gardening has numerous beneficial effects on the environment. For instance, it helps absorb carbon dioxide, lowers air pollution, improves biodiversity by supplying habitats for a range of species, fosters the health of the soil, and supports regional ecosystems. It can also lessen the carbon footprint brought on by packaging and shipping.
“Growing your own garden means that you are tending to the earth and you’re keeping your soil healthy,” said Bulster. “People that garden have healthier, more active soil, because they need to keep it that way so that their plants grow healthy. You are also using as much rain water as you can. Some people tend to save water sometimes when they are growing their own vegetables because they are able to use the natural world around them to help their garden grow.”
Gardening not only provides a connection with nature but also gives a sense of community. In many cities, there is even a community garden where anyone can pay for a plot and grow to their heart’s desire.
“Gardening at a much more personal level can be a totally wonderful way to engage with and meet new people,” said Zoë Braddury DeFurra, owner of Valley Flora farm in Langlois, Ore. “For instance, when you grow food and you get to share that first tomato with your family or your neighbors.”
Coos County has a welcoming community of gardeners. One of the most popular places is the Coos Head Food Co-op. This is a cooperatively owned grocery store that allows community members and shoppers to become part-time owners, where they can get fresh local produce, organic foods, and unique grocery items that are not easily found elsewhere.
The Co-op maintains their own garden, where they grow many different types of fresh produce. For those eager to start their gardening journey but lacking space, Ladybug Landing, a local community garden, offers rented beds for individuals to grow their own produce.
“Community gardens can be a great way to meet people, and make new friends by just growing food side by side,” Braddury says. “This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community and embrace the joys of gardening.”
