In my previous home, I enjoyed having a vegetable garden–especially when my kids were younger and they could see and join in the process of growing some of our own food. My new home is surrounded by many mature trees and is situated in such a way that there is not a whole lot of direct sunlight necessary for this kind of gardening. Although vegetables may be out of the question, I have gotten into annual and perennial flowers that are hardy enough to flourish in our mostly shady area. Suddenly, I know the names of many kinds of plants and flowers; I enjoy choosing varieties that will bloom at different times or thoughout the warmer months, providing a pop of color.

One of the side benefits of gardening for me is that it is relaxing. I enjoy tending to the plants and watering when necessary. My current fascination is watching my new clematis climbing a trellis and blooming with bold purple flowers. I feel like I am in the Garden of Eden in my backyard–even though I live in a condo development and there are other homes on either side and behind us. Still, it is a kind of a haven for me.

A recent article from CNN, discusses a new trend: gardening as workout. Some personal trainers are even recommending gardening for their clients. I have several clients who garden (one in her 90s!) and it does provide a measure of physical activity. Here is a short list of tasks which demand some exertion: carrying watering cans, digging in the soil, trimming or pruning trees and bushes, lifting bags of potting soil, raking debris, and mowing the lawn–even if it is a power mower. The article goes into some detail about the benefits as well as warning about where to be cautious. Gardeners should warm up before starting work (just as you would for any other exercise), and newbies should start out slow and then move to more grandiose gardens. What concerns me most with my clients is that they use proper posture and form, like lifting from the legs and evenly distributing weight when carrying objects.

The article seems to suggest that gardening could replace “going to the gym,” but I think this is a little far-fetched. In some climates where vegetables and plants grow all year that might work, but in the northern climes this activity may only last 5-6 months. There needs to be a plan for the rest of the year.

My two take-aways are that gardening is a great way to engage in physical activity, and that the benefits go beyond just the physical. So if you will excuse me, I must go check on my begonias….