Community gardening is becoming more popular and has many wellbeing benefits.
Editor Jane Garton discovers how getting involved in a local gardening project could help boost your mental and physical health as well as the environment.
It may still feel wintery, but spring is not that far away and with it comes the promise of better weather and the chance to get back to the garden. But what if you don’t have one? The answer could be to join a community garden. And the good news is it could have many benefits for your health and wellbeing.
Studies highlight the health benefits of gardening
A recent study from the University of Colorado Boulder[i] which included participants who had never gardened before suggests that participating in community gardening reduces the risk of developing serious illnesses, including cancer, high blood pressure diabetes and mental health disorders.
Study participants were found to eat more fibre and get more physical activity — two known ways to reduce the risk of cancer and chronic diseases. They also saw their levels of stress and anxiety significantly decrease. What’s more they found that being new to gardening was not a barrier to being successful at gardening, as the study only included new gardeners.
Connecting with others
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, community gardening is also a great way to connect with others and improve the place where you live. If you don’t have a garden to call your own, community gardening means you can share the benefits of tending a green space, while helping others and the environment.
Wellbeing benefits
- Community gardening can help keep a check on stress levels. Studies show that green exercise like gardening can help reduce anxiety and improve general mental wellbeing.
- Gardening in any form is a great form of aerobic exercise which has been shown to help boost stamina and strength. It will also help to keep you flexible.
- Working in the garden with others means making new social connections in the community which can lead to shared activities in other areas.
- A garden is a great space for learning and improving your knowledge base. You will find out how to grow fresh nutritional food, how to support wildlife as well as how important it is to look after your local environment.
Environmental benefits
- For starters creating gardens in public places gives you a sense of ownership and something to be proud of as well as providing an opportunity of learning with others.
- More gardens also means where you live is cleaner and greener and a more attractive place for visitors.
- Community gardens create a healthier environment, attracting wildlife with plants that can help boost local biodiversity as well as tackle the important issue of air pollution.
- They can help regenerate run-down areas in towns and cities as well boost the local economy by attracting visitors.
- Cleaner, greener more attractive environments have been linked to lower crime rates as well as less anti-social behaviour on the streets.
- They can create healthier communities. Growing fruit and vegetables locally can lead to healthier diet choices.
- Exercise outdoors has been linked to better mental and physical health – It’s not just about the fruits and vegetables. It’s also about being in a natural space outdoors together with others which can help create a sense of purpose as well as combat problems such as loneliness.
Gardening aches and pains
Gardening can take its toll on your body. So, if you develop aches and pains from too much bending and digging, the herbal remedy Devil’s Claw may help to bring relief. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties, which can help soothe nagging aches and pains as well as areas of muscular tension, making gardening less painful and more enjoyable.
To find a community garden near you visit the Royal Horticultural Society website. www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening/find-a-group
[i] The Lancet Planetary Health, 2023; 7 (1): e23 DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00303-5
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