Happy Earth Day: Gardening and Health

WASHINGTON — Imagine a Spring day, sitting in a deep squat, hands in the dirt, hearing the birds chirp and feeling the breeze on your face. You may need to swat at a few mosquitoes, but completing your task will yield beautiful flowers or fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables. Practicing mindfulness while gardening can boost your physical and mental health.

In the spirit of Earth Day 2025, we’ll discuss how cultivating plants and produce in your garden gives back to our planet and improves your health along the way.

Earth Day 2025

The theme for Earth Day 2025, on April 22, is “Our Power, Our Planet.” Each year, since it began 55 years ago, Earth Day has educated the public and raised awareness about a significant environmental issue. This year, the focus is on renewable energy — using natural sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal energy. The goal is to triple renewable energy production by 2030.

Gardening is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. It is a way of physically connecting with the Earth and using its natural resources to remind us how much our planet provides. 

Health Benefits of Gardening

From getting more movement in your day, to increasing your nutrient intake, to boosting well-being and connecting with others, there’s a little of everything in the health benefits of gardening.

Physical Exercise 

It may not be a structured and intense workout, but the natural movements and loads you lift and move while gardening boost your overall energy expenditure. 

The CDC estimates you can burn up to 200 calories in 30 minutes of gardening. It is a form of low-intensity exercise, and some research finds that, for older adults, gardening is associated with better cardiovascular health.

Gardening should not replace other forms of exercise, but it’s a great way to combat a sedentary lifestyle and increase physical activity throughout your day.

Growing Nutritious Food

Taking the time to grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs makes you more likely to eat them. A 2020 study found that people who garden at home are more likely to meet the minimum recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

Live in a city without space to garden? A 2022 review found similar associations for community gardening.

Connecting With Nature

Spending time in nature is well-known to boost human health. Gardening is a tangible, hands-on way to literally connect with the Earth. Touching the soil, watering and nurturing a plant, and watching the seeds you planted grow and bloom is a powerful way to feel part of something bigger than yourself.

Appreciating the Beauty of Flowers

Do you feel a flutter in your heart when you see something beautiful, whether it’s a moving work of art, a natural landscape, a person you love, or a perfectly red rose? You’re not being shallow; science is happening in your brain. 

Aesthetic appreciation triggers neurotrophic effects in your brain, leading to cognitive processes that can enhance feelings of pleasure, increase attention, and reduce stress. Growing flowers to admire in your garden or picking and placing them in your home gives your brain a beautiful treat and a boost.

Mental Health and Well-being

Ample research suggests that gardening can improve mental health and boost psychological well-being. Some professionals may recommend intentional gardening for mental health, also known as horticultural therapy, which some research has found to be beneficial.

A 2016 meta-analysis found that gardening may have the following positive mental health effects:

• Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Reduces stress levels.
• Increases cognitive function.
• Increases satisfaction and quality of life.

Building Community

Community gardens, especially in urban environments, provide a wonderful source of social connection. Working together toward a common goal creates a shared interest, a sense of belonging, and a form of bonding. Social connection is crucial to mental, physical, and cognitive health. Community gardens also create opportunities for altruism and sources of sustainable, healthy food.

Plant More Plants

When your stress levels are high, an attentive moment in your garden can be healing. Gardening provides physical exercise, interaction with nature, social connection, and a way to give back to the Earth. Each aspect can increase your sense of well-being and satisfaction in life.

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