When we were children, many of us sat at the table, looked at the plate of vegetables and told ourselves to eat vegetables, they are healthy. Turns out it's not just about your health.
Eating vegetables is not only good for you, but also has a positive effect on your happiness. This is what a recent USDA poll showed. Scientists at the USDA's Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center report that eating the daily servings of vegetables recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans has a positive effect on human happiness ( ARS, March 27, 2023 ). Eat your vegetables!
Growing plenty of vegetables increases the likelihood that nutritious vegetables will become the norm in the diet. Adding a few servings to our daily diet is a big step towards a healthy lifestyle.
Growing and harvesting home grown crops is far more satisfying than following daily nutritional guidelines.
Why does gardening make us happy?
To satisfy. Satisfaction grows as we grow our vegetables. We have finished cultivating what depended on us for its existence. Horticultural crops can be as small as balcony gardens, multi-pot patios, or well-planned garden spaces. It doesn't matter which plant it is: the rich harvest of tomatoes, eggplants, shiny squash, or the green okra pods we plant fills us with pride. Picking healthy lettuces is a healthy reward for the time spent caring for a plant.
connection with nature. It is humiliating to plant something as small as a seed, grow it, and then watch an amazing project unfold. Leaves, stems and fruits are made up of invisible tissues. Watching growth is magic, making us keep a close eye on growing plants.
· Lifestyle. Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies. It can be enjoyed by all ages, from young children who want to harvest their first radish crop, to older people who walk with canes or wheelchairs while having fun playing with their plants. Working with plants is relaxing, but it also keeps our mind active. Gardening is my favorite way to stay active when I can get outside instead of stuck on the treadmill at the gym. Because plants are complex creatures, a certain level of skill is required to produce a successful harvest. Everyday skills are improved with agility tools, while problem solving develops ingenuity.
Gardening expresses our creative side. Explore new varieties, planting dates and crops and experiment with popular crops.
communication. Plant lovers who share a passion for growing plants are always keen to meet other plant lovers. The Lubbock Memorial Arboretum, 4111 University Avenue, Lubbock offers educational programs on the second Saturday as one such opportunity. Arboretum volunteers are never turned down; Call (806) 797-4520.
Be happy. Plant a garden.
Elaine Pevely taught horticulture at the university for 28 years, including 25 years at Texas Tech, during which time she developed two varieties of onions. She is now the sole owner of From the Garden Farm Garden. You can email him at Gardens@suddenlink.net.
This article first appeared in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Gardening for You: Be Happy: Grow a Garden.
