I think there are many reasons why some of us choose to garden and I’d love to hear what you can add to my list, and your reasons for adding them.

I began my small garden with the hopes of growing vegetables and fruits in my yard. Not only to cut down some of the cost of purchasing food for ourselves, but also to provide my family with the freshest and most nutritious food items that I could. There is nothing like eating a freshly picked tomato is there?

Another reason why I like to grow some of my own food is that I know exactly what it’s been exposed to. Nothing.

I don’t use chemicals on my garden, and because my fruit and vegetables are picked and eaten fairly quickly under very sanitary conditions I know that, unlike some of the fruit and veggies that are sold in the grocery stores (spinach and strawberries for example) that my produce is free from food borne contaminants such as e-coli.

Another reason to garden is that it’s good exercise. Particularly for the obsessed like myself. When I get out in my garden, and I’m in the mood to work, I can be out there for 8 or more hours at a time. I come inside and I’ve earned the right to be tired. I sleep better. I feel a little bit healthier and my muscles get a work out too.

Moderate gardening for one hour can burn 300 to 400 calories!

Exercise is good for the bones too, so therefore gardening helps reduce osteoporosis.

Another reason I enjoy gardening- besides having so many lovely flowers and plants to enjoy eating and or looking at, is that my garden relaxes me. The act of gardening is good for my soul. It puts me at peace with the world even after the most stressful of days.

Gardening also gives me another area to entertain friends and family too. What better place to gather for a nice meal and some good wine with friends than in a lovely garden. Now that’s living.

Why do you garden?