In his weekly Jamie’s Little Allotment column, Gayton gardener Jamie Marsh talks about the ‘outdoors ‘feel-good’ factor…
There’s nothing like coming home from work and heading straight to the plot to let the day fall away.
It might feel like a quieter time in the garden for some, but here in the allotment there is still so much to harvest and enjoy. And while it’s easy to focus on the fruit and veg, I think it’s just as important to remember what gardening gives us in other ways too.
Tomatoes are looking lush at Jamie’s allotment
Even on the hottest days, pottering about outside is good for our bodies. It is gentle exercise, keeps us moving and gets us stretching and bending without even realising we are doing it. The fresh air does wonders and the sunshine gives us a lovely boost of vitamin D.
Then there is what it does for our minds. I have lost count of the number of times I have stepped outside feeling a bit flat and come back feeling lighter. There is something about focusing on a simple task, pulling a few weeds or tying in a wandering stem, that lets your mind quieten down. You start noticing the small things, like a ladybird tucked under a leaf or the way the light catches on a spider’s web.
Sometimes, when I come home from work, I don’t even go into the house. I head straight round to the plot instead and, in that short walk, I can feel the day starting to fall away. The sound of the gate clicking shut behind me, even the feel of the grass under my shoes tells me I am somewhere different now. This is my place to breathe.
Pottering on the allotment does wonders for your mental health
One of my favourite jobs is standing with the hosepipe on a warm evening, slowly watering each bed. There is something so therapeutic about watching the water soak in, seeing the leaves glisten and feeling the heat of the day start to ease. It is almost like the plants and I are unwinding together.
I know the value of these moments more than ever this year. On December 27, I had open heart surgery, and for months, I had to take it slow. Not being able to get out into the garden was really hard.
When I was finally able to start getting my hands back into the soil, it was such a lift. Having clean hands and tidy nails just did not feel like me. Mine are usually stained with compost, and I would not have it any other way.
When we get our hands in the soil, there is a natural bacteria in it called mycobacterium vaccae. Studies have shown it can actually trigger the release of serotonin, the chemical that helps make us feel happier and more relaxed.
Our gardening expert is happier when his hands are stained with compost
So when we say gardening makes us feel better, it’s not just in our heads. Well, it’s in our heads, but in the best possible way.
And it does not stop there. Some scientists believe that these soil microbes can also help improve concentration and reduce anxiety. Others have linked them to better gut health, which in turn can support the immune system.
It is amazing to think that something as simple as sowing a row of carrots or weeding compost can quietly be doing so much for our overall health.
Of course, the garden gives us more than just physical and mental benefits. It’s also about the little connections it sparks. For me, it might be a quick chat with John over the fence, or swapping a handful of tomatoes for a bunch of herbs. Those small moments can be as nourishing as the food we grow.
So while the beds are still full of beautiful vegetables and flowers, they are also quietly giving us something else. Better health, a calmer mind, and maybe even a little extra serotonin. All from doing something we love.
Email me at Jamieslittleallotment@gmail.com and tell me how the garden helps your mental health
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