Borbon, Cebu - In March of 2020, as lockdowns put millions of people out of work and headline forecast on food shortage, many parents were apprehensive on where to source food for the family’s dining table. With people forced to cut off on social and even family gatherings, they are finding ways of something to engage to. Several individuals began engaging themselves into gardening. Hence, many became “plant titas and plant titos”. Seeds seedlings, and plants abound and sold out online. Others ventured out into gardening centers, searching online for the best plants they do not have. Some also realized the inner green thumb in them.

With the resiliency of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taught about backyard gardening. But what are the benefits we can get from backyard or home gardening?

1. Fight against body diseases. We are more like a plant than we realize. Just like plants we also need Vitamin D, our skin uses sunlight to make this nutrient.

2. Maintains a healthy weight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says gardening is exercise. Activities we do during gardening belong to a category of light to moderate exercise. As for digging and shoveling this might be considered as vigorous activities.

3. Mood booster. We wouldn’t expect that gardening can relieve anxiety and increases self-esteem too! There is a study in the US, that when people spend time in the garden, their anxiety level drop and they feel less depressed.

4. Food security. With the price hike of vegetables and other staple foods, garden produce can be a good alternative food source. Our harvests are safe and healthier with the assurance that they are organically grown. More than that, it would help ease our tight budget.

5. Stress reliever. Working in a garden can help us recuperate if you have a stressful day at work or at school. Just like exercise, gardening is a big help to promote good sleep, maintain a healthy weight and builds strength.

In home gardening, it invites us to get outside, take charge of our own health through exercise, eating nutritious food from own produce and the plants are pleasing to the eyes and help beautify the surroundings. More than that, gardening provides us food and nutrition security.  So, what are you waiting for, “nurture a garden to feed not just the body, but the soul” according to Alfred Austin // ND II Teresito M. Caayaman III, RND