Does anyone else find gardening therapeutic?

[Spearmint]

I'm attempting to grow some of my own food as I really like the idea of being self sustainable.

Being outside, connecting with nature, watching my plants grow and produce food over time brings about a sense of peace and purpose.

Does anyone else find gardening helps with depression/mental illness?

What are you all growing?

I'm still a beginner, I spent months watering a plant that turned out to be just a weed haha.

I have some capsicums getting nice and fat, also I have planted broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and cabbage seeds a couple of weeks ago.

🙂

[Panther101]

Hi Nat, its hard to pin point how it helps me to be honest. My day to day life is pretty hectic, my job as a fleet controller is mentally tasking, and im on the phone pretty much all day sorting issues and fixing and organising. (Which probably works very well for my OCD and being a perfectionist) and when i get home I have 3 young beautiful cheeky daughters. So coming out to the garden on a weekend i find peaceful and i get to do things with my hands and go no where near a computer or phone. We have just moved into our new build so for the first time we have our own garden. So starting from scratch, getting some decent soil in, roll on lawn for the back yard setting out the garden beds and bringing in mulch. I have purchased some seeds to grow for plants that i like (daisy's and marigolds) but i haven't started them yet. I like the idea of growing and propagation so in the future once weve settled in and done with setting up the garden i will go ahead with that. Now with my OCD in the garden i have to wear gloves not only for that but i have been blessed with eczema also on my hands so it's a necessity. For me theres no better way to relax than grabbing a cool drink and heading out into the garden to relax and be around the fruit of your labours. Seeing all your hard work pay off and provide a beautiful setting. No computer and no tv haha

[Quercus]

Hi Panther101,

Awesome! A new garden is such a pleasure! I'm in the same position. We just started earthworks for the house. It is thrilling to be able to plan and imagine what it will all look like 'one day'.

Do your kids help in the garden at all? My youngest is 3 and has eagle eyes. I swear she can spot a weed from 10 meters away 😊. Are you getting pot marigolds (Calendula)? We've got them and they self seed everywhere. So pretty.

Can't wait to hear about how your garden progresses.