In the middle of National Allotments Week, a survey has confirmed that gardening really is good for your health and Nathan James Dodd has been looking at its findings.
Over half of the respondents in a poll conducted by an online lawnmower supplier choose to garden as it's a 'satisfying and relaxing' activity.
The survey indicates that under 35s increasingly enjoy gardening, much of this interest due to the satisfaction of growing their own produce.
Mark Bartram, MD of Lawnmowers Direct says that younger people have voiced their opinions on food production and many are now aiming at self sufficiency.
Just under a fifth of all participants' gardens were found to be mostly vegetables or a vegetable patch was a significant part of the garden.
36% of respondents spent over three hours during the week in the garden, and and they will vouch for this being a far superior way to exercise and keep in shape than going to the gym.
Other reports back up the theory that gardening is one of the best activities to keep mind and body in good order. Just thirty minutes of gardening has been proved to lower your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and so is a great way to leave the cares of the world behind.
Perhaps more surprisingly a harmless bacteria in soil, called Mycobacterium vaccae is thought to boost your immune system.
Especially amongst individuals over 60, gardening helps to keep the brain healthy, requiring you to think, learn and be creative. There's no doubt that spending some time in the garden each day will enable you to relax and keep active at the same time.
There's no doubt that television provides gardeners with inspiration, tips and good ideas, that's why we're all looking forward to new programmes and the return of old favourites during 2018.
Written by David Coton.
Published on Tuesday, 13th of February, 2018.
It was quite an honour for GardenSite to be asked to supply the Christmas Tree to Birmingham New Street Station this year, and to celebrate we're offering a Champagne High Tea to the winners of a seasonal selfie competition.
Written by David Coton.
Published on Tuesday, 19th of December, 2017.
Whether it's a bleak December or the more mild weather we are becoming used to, you can still spend useful time in the garden. David Coton suggests the jobs that can occupy the shortening days.
Written by David Coton.
Published on Monday, 20th of November, 2017.
In October, David Coton is getting the garden prepared for the onset of colder weather but, at the same time, the arrival of spring bulbs in the garden centre is a reminder that you should also now be planning ahead for next year.
Written by David Coton.
Published on Monday, 2nd of October, 2017.
With warmer weather and an early Easter, the garden centre is busy at the moment with customers stocking up on summer bedding plants - snapdragons, cornflowers, cosmos, verbena, phlox, petunia, As well as filling planters, hanging baskets and borders with colour that will last all summer, there are always plenty of jobs to do in the garden during April and David Coton has these suggestions.
Written by David Coton.
Published on Thursday, 29th of March, 2018.
Every gardener must have noticed a decline in the bee population over recent years. Intensive farming that demands the use of toxic chemicals, climate change and parasite infestation have all been put forward as potential causes, it's a worrying trend but one that we can all help to reverse.
Written by Martyn Loach.
Published on Thursday, 22nd of March, 2018.
As an excellent alternative to conventional products, Trimetals' storage solutions blend top quality manufacture with contemporary style. Their range has now been extended to include two new maintenance free sheds and Robert Hall has all the details.
Written by Robert Hall.
Published on Monday, 12th of March, 2018.
Zest 4 Leisure manufactures a large variety of timber garden furniture, fencing and leisure products, David Coton visited their brand new nine acre site near Chester last week to find out more about current development and future plans.
Written by David Coton.
Published on Friday, 9th of March, 2018.
