Wishing safety to all my fellow gardeners.

I want to send out good wishes for health and safety to all my readers. In this time of stress and so much unknown, gardening can be one of the options to stay fit, get fresh air and grow healthy food.

Having a backyard, front yard, balcony with containers or a community garden spot can provide the fresh veggies that can make a huge difference on your grocery bill.

The health benefits to having a garden are huge as well. We know what is going into the soil, we know if the veggies are sprayed with pesticides or not, we exercise more.

In Western Canada our gardening season is just beginning. I have been planning my garden layout for this season.

In my community garden bed that is fairly small I will be concentrating on salad greens including lettuce, swiss chard, kale, mixed greens, some broccoli and cucumbers. These are all my favorite veggies so will concentrate on growing them. Check out my growing tips for you favourite vegetables.

10 Reasons to Start a Vegetable Garden

2. Exercise – hour of moderate gardening can burn 300 calories for women and 400 calories for men. Gardening can reduce osteoporosis. Mowing grass is like a vigorous walk, bending and stretching needed to plant a garden, hauling plants and soil is like weightlifting.

3. Pleasure – add beauty to your yard with vegetable, herbs and flowers, attract birds and wildlife by providing shelter, water and color for them.

4. To learn – there is always something new to learn about plants. Take a course, seminar or use books to help you to problem solve or understand how to use and keep your plants healthy.

5. Make money – For some people gardening can be a hobby, for others it can be rewarding way to earn a living. A garden can be a source of vegetables, herbs and flowers to sell at a farmers market, roadside stand or to gardening stores.

6. Meet people – Gardening can expand your social circle. Gardening can be a way for you to meet your neighbours, garden clubs are great ways to meet other gardeners, extra plants or vegetables can be given to friends, food bank or soup kitchens.

7. Be Creative – Gardening is a great way to bring out your creative and artistic expression. Gardens are a great place to display art, sculptures and garden ornaments.

8. For a healthier planet – growing at least some of your own food will help to have a smaller energy footprint.

9. For spiritual connection – Gardens can be tranquil retreats or escapes from demand on your life. Gardens can lift your spirits as well as a release from stress and anxiety.

10. For memories – Gardening can be a fun way for families to be together, for children to learn how to grow their food, to cut a bouquet of flowers.

Join my facebook group

www.facebook.com/groups/veggiegardenhelper

I offer Online coaching if you need any specific help in your garden.

Catherine's bio

For spring I recommend my ebook:

• Vegetable Garden Plans for Square foot Gardens
  
• Vegetable Garden Plans for your Rasised Beds
  
• Vegetable Garden Plans for Row Gardening
  

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Get everyone growing a few of their own veggies. Forward this FREE ezine to a friend.

Happy gardening!