Is gardening good for your body?

You betcha!

Years ago, I gave a gardening talk to a local osteoporosis support group. Now my dear readers, I admit that when I accepted the invitation, I had no idea what relationship gardening had to osteoporosis. I of course did research. I was surprised— and very pleased—to learn that as a total body exercise, gardening is a great activity to help prevent osteoporosis and is also recommended for those who already have it.

I am not a young gardener. I am eighty-one years old, four-feet-teninches tall and of slight build. I have scoliosis and two artificial knees, so this was important to me as well. I want to share what I have learned and how gardening has benefited me, though I admit I really garden and keep bees because the experiences are so gratifying. People get caught up in gardening. I know this has happened to you. You go outside to prune the roses and end up harvesting the herbs or weeding or pinching back the annuals. One hour leads to three. Does this happen when you exercise? Probably not.

Yard work—pulling weeds, shoveling compost, pushing mowers, digging out weeds, dividing perennials—uses several different muscle groups, which can help stimulate bone regeneration. All the bending and stretching and reaching also improves our balance and brains. I don’t know about you, but I have to remind myself to place gardening tools in safe places, so I don’t accidentally step on them! I do take my cell phone with me in case I hurt myself.

Perhaps you already have osteoporosis or are recovering from surgery or have a permanent disability. Can you still garden? Yes, with accommodations. I, for example, am unable to kneel so I “scooch” on my backside. Other people use kneelers. Raised beds work well for those unable to bend forward and who use wheelchairs. And by the way, there is no shame in asking people to help. I can shovel soil and compost but cannot move a large shrub.

Socially, gardening is a natural talking point when you meet new people. Our large front garden has led to friendships, questions, plant sharing, and walks about the entire property. I am amused by the comment “This must be a lot of work.” Gardening beats housekeeping any day. Gardening is good for us mentally (even when the deer eat the hostas). Although there are disappointments, the joy of watching plants grow is immeasurable. And….there is so much to learn! I love the Thomas Jefferson quote, “Although I am an old man, I am a young gardener.” I also love the quote from the Beatles’ George Harrison, who wanted people to remember him as a gardener: “I’m not really a career person. I’m a gardener really.”

I wear sunscreen on my face and a hat on my head as I am fair-skinned but exposed body parts receive sunshine to increase production of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. I stop each hour for a beverage and food break. Gardening raises my metabolism; I am ravenous after a gardening session!

I hope each of my readers has a joyous gardening year. I look forward to hearing from you at caharlos@ verizon net. FY

Carol Ann Harlos is an awardwinning retired math and science teacher, Master Gardener, beekeeper, writer, and speaker. She tends extensive gardens, including herbs, and loves learning from others and sharing her knowledge.