Gardening is a great activity that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The physical activity of being in the garden assists fitness and stamina – it is continuous activity. Brain health is improved as curiosity is peaked at every turn, and the mind can be focused on projects big and small. Breathing fresh air helps improve every aspect health.
Many pioneering garden designers – people like Gertrude Jekyll , Fanny Wilkinson, William Robinson, Christopher Loyd, Beth Chatto, all lived long productive lives, way past the average life spans of their time.
There is something about appreciating the fragrance of flowers – hyacinths in pots in your house in early Spring; the ephemeral explosion of pink as the bare branches of cherry trees come to life; the first burst of yellow as the early daffodils push through; the bursting of maple leaf buds displaying vibrant shades of red,yellow and green; pink,red,white azaleas lighting up the woodland shade;the run of perennials all the way through to the first frosts; the vibrant tapestry the develops above our heads as the fall colors signal the drawing in of another year; and finally the winter blooms of witch hazel and edgeworthia. All contributing to a sense of wellbeing.
AndAllen garden was designed to give us glimpses of all the above.
Another health benefit of my gardening exploits has just appeared! As my mobility is severely impaired following a hip replacement, I ice every hour for 30 minutes sat next to a window overlooking the garden. Watching the garden chaos of early falling leaves, enjoying the October purple flowering of the NY asters, seeing the last of the butterflies flit across the vista, watching the birds! A flock of doves ground feeding underneath the bird feeders, a red headed woodpecker enjoying a visit to a fat block, finches enjoying a bath in the late morning sunshine. Forced limitations made quite bearable, nay quite enjoyable, by my previous gardening endeavors!
