Happy National Gardening Day!

By Victoria Fuller

For all of us here at Cedar Planters, April 14th is as important a “holiday” as any other popular holiday on the calendar, for today is the day that we celebrate all things gardening! National Gardening Day is actually one of the newer “calendar days” that have become increasingly popular in recent years, and although some of these days may seem a little unnecessary or just outright strange (“World Lizard Day” on August 14th and “National Dr Pepper Day” on October 24th spring to mind, we love lizards and delicious soda as much as the next person but do they really need their own day? Who's to say?). We strongly feel that National Gardening Day has truly earned its spot on our calendars.

National Gardening Day is actually relatively new in the grand scheme of “national days”, the day has only been celebrated since 2018 after being founded by a garden publishing company named Cool Springs Press. However it’s pretty safe to say that Springtime has always held a spot in all gardener’s hearts as the perfect time to dust off the gardening gloves and get stuck in!

For today’s post we wanted to keep it simple and just share some of our reasons as to why gardening means so much to us, and how we are celebrating this incredible hobby not only today but all year round. So without further ado, here are the ten reasons that gardening means so much to us:

1. It’s great for your physical wellbeing
Moderate gardening is known to burn between 200 and 400 calories an hour, it can also reduce blood pressure, muscle tension, and pulse rate! Not to mention how good the vitamin D from being outdoors and the fresh air are for you as well! 

2. You’ll save $$$ at the grocery store
It’s no secret that unfortunately grocery store prices have skyrocketed in the last couple of years, and sadly fresh produce has been leading the charge with inflation (food prices in Canada have seen an 11.4% increase over this time last year, yikes) so there has never been a more sensible time to start growing your own vegetables at home.

3. It’s great for your mental health
Spending time actively improving your environmental surroundings does wonders for your state of mind. Also taking time to do something that you love has been proven to help people who suffer from various mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and stress amongst others.

4.Gardening encourages patience
In this day and age where almost everything is instantly available there is a lot to be said about having to actually wait for something (anything!), and the satisfaction that comes along with this. Most traditional crops take over 4 weeks to fully mature to the point of harvesting, so this journey is truly rewarding for gardeners of all skill levels. Checking in on your seedlings and watching them thrive and grow is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Plus the end result (fresh produce) is pretty fantastic!

5. You’ll be helping the environment
Not only does planting your own produce and plants at home reduce the need for commercially supplied products (and the infrastructure required to support them such as shipping and the environmental impact that this has on its own), but it also helps reduce air and water pollution. Growing your own food without the use of herbicides and pesticides helps put a stop to these harmful chemicals entering into our environment while simultaneously being healthier for consumption.

6. It helps build a sense of community
We aren’t just talking about the traditional “community garden” (although these in themselves are fantastic and we are very jealous if you have one of these nearby!), but just the sense of gardening with friends, families, loved ones, and other garden enthusiasts can be incredibly rewarding. Growing something as a group is something to be proud of and it can be a great opportunity to bond with your neighbours and fellow garden lovers!

7. It’s a great educational opportunity for kids of all ages
There is a lot to be said for planting, nurturing, and growing a plant or crop from a seedling all the way to maturity. Gardening is a great way to teach children about the importance of nature, patience, healthy eating, and productive hobbies. So whether you are an experienced gardener who is looking forward to teaching their children about the benefits of gardening or whether you are a beginner yourself and are excited to get started, gardening is a great way to learn about the world around us.

8. It’s aesthetically pleasing
Whether you are gardening to make your space more beautiful for yourself, your family, or the prying eyes of those on social media, there is something so beautiful and impressive about a well-tended garden. Also a quick shameless promotion here: Cedar Planters raised garden beds are both incredibly functional AND beautiful, they make a beautiful addition to any outdoor space (balcony and backyard alike!) and will have your friends and family asking where you got them!

9. It can cultivate purpose
This one sounds a little bit dramatic, but it’s absolutely true. Sometimes (especially during the colder and darker months) it can be nice to have even the simplest task to look forward to and attend to each day in order to feel the smallest sense of achievement, and gardening is fantastic for that.

10. It can be incredibly therapeutic
Although this could come under the “good for your mental health and de-stress” category we strongly feel that it deserves its own number. Having an outdoor space to retreat to when you’re feeling a little angry or blue can be incredibly soothing, not only is gardening a productive use of time and energy but you can also really vent some anger and frustration through digging and pulling weeds!

So there you have it! There are our top ten reasons why we here at Cedar Planters love gardening, we would love to hear your thoughts and your “reasons why” as well so please feel free to comment below or reach out to us at info@cedarplanters.com.