The benefits

What social scientists and scientists tell us

Research has shown that gardening addresses many symptoms of mental ill-health and the broader associated difficulties. Benefits come from physical activity, practical skills development, inter-relational and personal integration, and the innate effects of being in contact with nature.

Gardening promotes a faster recovery from mental fatigue _[1], improves sleep _[2], improves concentration and memory _[3], decreases anger _[4] and stress levels _[5], increases the ability to cope with stress _[6], increases positive mood _[7], decreases the reliance on anti-depressants _[8] and the severity of depression and anxiety _[9], and refocuses away from pain _[10].

Working as a gardening community extends the gardeners’ social network _[11] which increases the capacity to recover from disease _[12], improves a sense of personal control in social settings _[13], increases motivation _[14], de-stigmatises by providing a new aspect to self-identity _[15], increases a sense of belonging _[16] and correlates to an increased positive relationships with others _[17].

Growing plants and produce provides enjoyment for the tangible benefits of gardening _[18], creates a sense of accomplishment and improves self-esteem _[19], increases self-confidence _[20], improves personal productivity _[21], widens learning of a range of transferable life skills and correspondingly increases gardeners’ employability _[22].

Caring for plants encourages creativity and self-expression _[23], taking responsibility for oneself _[24], reinforces a sense of personal agency _[25], and powerfully reverses the dependency role sustained during illness _[26].

Gardening offers many metaphors that can assist processing painful thoughts with positive framing _[27], bring about hope from nature’s life cycles _[28] and a sense of transition and change _[29], create coherence in personal life-stories _[30] and promote goal-oriented behaviour where needed _[31]. Being in contact with nature grounds the gardener to be able to take manageable risks for change _[32].