Exploring the art of gardening and its positive impact on health and mind

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” is a beautiful quotation credited to Audrey Hepburn, and I believe that statement is accurate. For plants to grow and prosper, we divide and sow seeds and provide them with care. When new roots start to show at the pot’s base and the cutting begins to produce healthy top growth, we take slips and keep a close eye on them until we have that “aha” moment. We designate borders and colour schemes, prune, trim, mow, strim, deadhead, feed, and tend to our plants, meeting their specific requirements until they surprise us with colourful leaves or blooms. On brisk autumnal days, we plant bulbs, confident that they will repay us in the spring with a full-blown burst of colour that declares, “We are tulips; look at us.”

Gardening is a rewarding hobby that can be taken up at any time of the year, but it requires patience at the same time. Taking care of and watering plants daily also teaches you to be a responsible individual. Taking up gardening as a hobby doesn’t require a big area because pots come in all different sizes and may be used on balconies. You can cultivate your own organic veggies in a kitchen garden and enhance the aesthetics of your house by cultivating decorative plants and shrubs. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to start gardening, so don’t let that deter you. You may successfully improvise pots and containers out of a variety of recyclable materials, such as old buckets, baskets, and vegetable/fruit crates. As long as the base of the object has the appropriate drainage holes drilled through it, you can actually grow almost anything you like, provided it can hold soil.

Keeping a few potted plants indoors is still considered gardening. If you’re a novice, you can begin modestly. Certain plants, like mint, grow quickly and could be simpler for novice gardeners to maintain. As an initial step, you can also ask your mother to give you some coriander seeds. You can sow those seeds and collect fresh coriander every day from your own garden. Coriander grows quickly as well, so it won’t take long for your mother to use it in cooking. However, the key is to cultivate plants that you are passionate about.

“Gardening” has not received enough attention as a learning activity that involves children experimenting, sharing knowledge, and practical application. But more than that, gardening teaches nurturing—observing your plants as they grow larger and healthier with each passing day—patience—watching them emerge from the soil and feel proud of you when they bloom.

Nowadays, kids have so many options for enjoyment because of video games, cable TV, and the internet that they find outdoor games less engaging and inspiring. Lack of motivation can be terrifying, but I still hope that many of you will be inspired to do something enjoyable around your house after reading this article. Getting your hands dirty and learning something new is what makes gardening the healthiest option. Many children wish they could play in the soil without getting in trouble with their parents; however, if it’s a recreational hobby like gardening, no parent will stop their child. Gardening will be profitable, so kids, never give up attempting new things!

A peaceful state of mind and spirit that nourishes rejuvenates and heals ailments like stress, depression, and other related ills of “modern” life is brought about by strolling, sitting, working, relaxing, or actively working in a garden. There are several mental health benefits to gardening. Research has shown that gardening increases people’s confidence and self-esteem, while other studies show that gardening lowers people’s scores on anxiety and depression assessments. Experts believe gardening can help with mental health in a few different ways. Firstly, exercise is a tried-and-true method of improving mood. Additionally, a lot of individuals say that gardening gives them a sense of purpose and meaning, which is a major boost to well-being. Furthermore, gardening can help people overcome loneliness and form social ties, particularly in community or allotment gardens.

Dear Readers, I am a gardener, or perhaps a better term would be “plant lover,” just like the majority of you. I genuinely adore getting my hands dirty—planting seeds and bulbs, pulling weeds, pulling up plants, and pruning—in addition to enjoying spending time in my garden. I find it soothing and almost meditative to stick my hands in the ground or pinch out early buds. It’s just myself and the plants. To be honest, some bugs still give me the creeps, but I still enjoy the sound of birdsong and searching for unusual butterflies.

I find gardening to be a calming process overall. Getting outside, even for a short while, instantly relieves my tension and worries when they arise. I feel comfortable with everything, from planting to caring for my plants. Filling the watering can and giving my plants a drink is one of my favourite things to do; it’s a small but crucial daily chore. These little chores, like trimming or weeding, are what actually aid in tension or anxiety relief. There are no hassles or pressing deadlines, so all you need to concentrate on is the work at hand.

Milestones such as the first time a plant outgrows its initial planter, the first flower bud to spread its petals, the first butterfly in your garden, and the first leaf to emerge under your care are all unforgettable. My passion for plants has only become stronger, and I can never have enough of them; I constantly seem to want more.

This vacation, you can take up gardening and enjoy it to the fullest rather than just watching TV or using social media. It will also educate you on various plant species, plus you can always spread the gardening joy to your friends, cousins, and family by giving them plants as birthday gifts or by exchanging plants with them. It’s a unique idea, isn’t it?

Happy gardening to all of you!

[email protected]

Eyram Hamid Khan