Gardening for well-being

Words MORAG GAMBLE

Edible gardens are lifeboats in times of crisis. So given all that is happening in the world right now, it is no wonder we are seeing a renaissance of the humble kitchen garden, backyard chickens, neighbourhood trading of homegrown produce and a growing interest in permaculture.

So many men and women have lost their jobs or become under-employed during the lockdown and found themselves home-based far more than they are used to. This has contributed to growing levels of anxiety and depression.

Gardening is helping people through, just like we’ve seen in generations before. My granddad found great solace in his veggie garden when he returned from WWII, and he continued to grow for the rest of his life. Every time we visited he’d proudly take us to his little backyard to show us his tomatoes and beans – and we’d never go home empty-handed. I have strong memories from a young age of the newspaper-wrapped parcels he’d hand my mum as we were leaving. We loved it – his tomatoes were so juicy delicious!

As wonderful as it is, gardens are not just about growing food. They are places to be physically productive, purposeful and focused – making, building, growing and problem-solving. I’m sure that’s what my granddad did. Even just getting our hands in the earth has such a positive impact on our peace of mind.

During the pandemic, we have become even more a nation of food growers. Gardening has helped with food security, staying socially connected, feeling hopeful and keeping calm – providing an outlet and a lifeboat in insecure times.

In a recent study about edible gardening during the pandemic*, over 70% of survey respondents said that gardening had significantly improved their mental health, and an incredible 19% said it was essential to them for food security and wellbeing – ‘a sanity saver’. Over 98% said they are going to continue gardening.

Gardening helps us redirect anxiety about the future into focused action and strengthens our personal resilience. The future may be uncertain, but in our food gardens, we can create a real sense of security and feel like we have some control over what happens in our lives. This matters.

In a garden you can be yourself too – relax and take time to think. You can design and experiment, meet your needs and those of your family, and create an abundance that can be gifted to friends and neighbours.

In every city and town, there is abundant space for growing food –backyard, front yard, balcony – and if you don’t have space at your place, join or form a community garden.

*Pandemic Gardening Survey, Sustain Australia.

www.ourpermaculturelife.com