One of the many things we can do to boost our mood is gardening. This year there has been a push to grow more food, be it for ourselves, or food-banks and other collectives. While this is a fantastic idea, and many have taken up the challenge, we need to remember the pollinators. Without flowers to attract bees and other pollinating insects, our food crops will suffer.
Growing the right plants for your area is not that complicated, but it is advisable to consult a good gardening book or local expert to determine what fruits, vegetables, and flowers will grow best in your geographic location, soil, and container type. There is an amazing diversity of plants to choose from, and flowers can often be purchased already in bloom. No waiting required. If you are new to gardening, start small. For beginners, growing a few herbs or flowers in pots is probably the easiest. Experiment with a few varietals to find out what you like best and move on from there.
Just remember to save some space for a few flowers. Not only will they help with food production, but they are also lovely to look at! Once you get the gardening bug, it will be hard to stop. You will be amazed at what it can do for your mental well-being, and we all know how our happiness is linked to our physical health.
There is an old saying that goes something like this:
“If you want to be happy for an hour, watch a favourite movie. If you want to be happy for a month, fall in love. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, learn to garden”.
For more information on how to care for your mental wellness, contact the Canadian Mental Health Association, https://cmha.ca/ or HealthLink BC https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health/.
