National Gardening Day - 14th April
National Gardening Day, celebrated on April 14th, encourages people to take up gardening and enjoy its benefits.
Whether you have a big garden, a small balcony with pots, or just a few indoor plants, this day is for you. It is a great time to connect with nature and start growing fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
History of Gardening & National Gardening Day
Gardening has been around for over 23,000 years. Early humans first started growing plants for survival when they stopped moving from place to place and settled in one area.
At first, gardens were used only to grow food like herbs, fruits, and vegetables. As societies developed, wealthier people began creating gardens for aesthetic and relaxation purposes.
The first decorative gardens are believed to have been built in ancient Egypt around 2000 BC, making gardening one of the oldest hobbies in the world.
To escape the hot sun, Egyptians planted trees like date palms, fig trees, and olive trees, which provided both shade and food. They also grew flowers, such as roses, which were valued for their beauty and used to make natural blush. Some gardens even had ponds filled with fish!
Today, gardening is more popular than ever, with almost two-fifths of people in the UK actively pursuing it as a hobby.
While gardening has existed for thousands of years, National Gardening Day was created in 2018. It was founded by Cool Spring Press, a publisher of gardening and home improvement books, to inspire more people to start gardening and to help experienced gardeners share their knowledge.
Benefits of Gardening
Gardening is a fun and relaxing hobby for both landscapers and homeowners.
Being outside, feeling the soil, and seeing plants can really improve your mental health. Studies show that it can make you happier. According to Forbes, when you dig in the soil, you breathe in microbes that can boost serotonin, which helps you feel calm and happy.
This is why many people garden to relieve stress and forget their worries.
Gardening is also great exercise. It keeps you active, helps you burn calories, and strengthens your hands. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good and reduce stress.
Sunlight is important for gardening, too. It helps your body make vitamin D, which about 1 in 5 people in the UK lack. Vitamin D supports a healthy immune system and helps regulate mood.
It can also improve your diet if you grow your own food. When you plant your own herbs, vegetables, and fruits, you can make your meals tastier and healthier. Plus, growing food at home reduces the need for transportation and packaging, which is better for the environment.
Strawberries are a fun and easy fruit to grow with children. They make a tasty summer snack and teach kids where food comes from.
It also helps you connect with others. Many gardeners, from beginners to experts, join local or online groups to share tips and make friends with others who love gardening.
Celebrating National Gardening Day
Here are some ideas for celebrating this special day:
Learn More About Eco-Friendly Gardening.
With sustainable gardening becoming more popular, you can celebrate by learning how to garden in an eco-friendly way. Start by making your own compost, creating safe weed killers, and choosing plants that attract helpful wildlife. You can learn how to do this from gardening books or online. These practices will help your garden thrive and support the environment along with save you money and reducing waste. Plus, it helps your garden look good longer, which means less work for you in the long run.
Check out our ‘Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips’ and ‘DIY Weed Killers’ to learn more.
Join a Gardening Club.
If you’re not in a gardening club yet, now is a perfect time to join! A club allows you to meet fellow gardeners, exchange tips, and make friends.
Depending on your location, you can find local and online clubs. Alternatively, If you can’t find one you like, consider starting your own!
Visit a Garden Centre
Garden centres are great places for inspiration. They have a variety of unique plants and helpful staff who can answer your questions.
On top of this, you can buy any tools you might need for the upcoming season.
Find your nearest garden centre and take some time to celebrate with like-minded people.
Have a Seed and Plant Swap
Invite your friends and family over and host a seed and plant swap. This is a great opportunity to discover new plants that you may have not heard of before and grow your collection without spending any extra money.
To make the event even more exciting, consider having a mini competition, such as a seed-planting race, where participants can show their skills and have a good time.
While gardening has been around for centuries, people only started doing it as a hobby around 2000 BC. Over time, more people created gardens to relax in, and the hobby became even more popular. Today, nearly two-fifths of people in the UK enjoy gardening. It helps them stay active and reduces stress.
National Gardening Day, on the other hand, was started in 2018 to encourage gardeners to share their knowledge and inspire more people to try this hobby.
From learning more about eco-gardening to hosting seed and plant swaps for your friends and family, there are many ways to celebrate this special day.
