Now here’s a growing concern we can all get involved in so share your passion for plants & get mowtivated!  It is very true that the grass is always greener where you water it!

And now in the hope of stealing those moments where weather permits the garden is summoning telling me off for neglecting it for so long – Oh I have missed you my grassy friend!

Gardening is good for you and if you have never tried it, don’t knock it and if you have, then get your gloves to the ready as there is nothing better than a bit of pottering here, weeding there, mowing, pruning, planting and mulching (there will be more dirty talk later!).

Good news for those who already spend hours planting perennials as a spot of gardening not only gives you a good physical workout, but it also reduces pain and anxiety.  Did you know that prolonged light exercise, such as gardening, can burn more calories than a gym session, despite feeling much easier to do!

The operative word is 'duration' of the session!  Gardening tends to be much lower intensity but can take longer than maybe two or three trips to the gym meaning the cumulative effect of this more modest rate of calorie-burning starts to add up.  

You can burn up to 330 calories during just one hour of light gardening.  Did you know that gardening could reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by as much as 27%. It could also reduce your chance of obesity by as much as 62%.

Just 30 minutes of moderate-level physical activity a few times a week can prevent and control high blood pressure.  Smelling roses and pulling up weeds can lower blood pressure, increase brain activity and produce a general upbeat feeling.   

So, try to fit that half an hour of gardening in each day: if your schedule won’t let you fit in half an hour at a stretch, try a quick 15 minutes in the morning, and another 15 after work. The evidence is clear: too much sitting is dangerous for your health, so break it up as much as you can with little spurts of activity as there’s always plenty to do!

Also, when gardening, you are exposed to more stimuli than boring old pieces of sterile gym equipment thus the sights and sounds and decision-making can all serve to distract you from the intensity of physical work you are undertaking as you grapple about the weeds and get down and dirty!

Talking about dirty; perhaps the most unexpected is the benefit of getting your hands dirty as bacteria commonly found living in soil may have a positive effect on our mood, although I am not suggesting for one minute that you run out and have a roll around in the garden – so remain calm!   But the “friendly” soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae common in garden dirt and absorbed by inhalation or ingestion on vegetables has been found to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis, allergies and asthma: all of which may stem from an out-of-whack immune system. This particular organism has also been shown to alleviate depression!

While you're outdoors basking in the sun(always remaining positive!), you'll also soak up plenty of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. In turn, calcium helps keep your bones strong and your immune system healthy.

Gardening gives us an increased sense of vitality, appetite, sleep quality, cognitive function and it can improve your mental and physical wellbeing and it makes you happy and relieves/erases the stresses of life.

Flowers and colour make us smile and have some lasting positive effects on our moods. As we age, diminishing dexterity and strength in the hands can gradually narrow the range of activities that are possible or pleasurable. Gardening keeps those hand muscles vigorous and agile.

Finally it improves your sex life as studies show that gardening actually boosts men's stamina in the bedroom and any form of moderate exercise can help men lower their risk of impotence, so get that mower to the ready and point him in the right direction - good thing grass grows!  

http://www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk/About.aspx