The recent issue of The Horticulturalist, the journal of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, waxed eloquently on the festivals and flower shows that are highlighting the benefits of gardening for mental and physical health. One quite surprising idea was that manual work is important for the . the lymph system, which is vital for waste clearance. This system has no pumping mechanism of its own, so upper body movement functions as a power source for lymph. Gardening is a gentle way of getting the exercise needed.This adds to the well-known physical benefits of gardening as a form of gentle, sustained exercise ideal for older people, though for younger ones as well.
In his presidential editorial Dr Owen Doyle addressed the human need for exposure to germs and pointed out that without exposure to germs in the natural environment immunity does not develop, and that children need to be exposed from early on in life. This point is made by Robin Jacobs, writing in the online article The Health Benefits of Gardening, who states that exposure to the beneficial microbe Mycobacterium vaccae found in soil generates resistance to psoriasis, allergies and asthma, the latter being a disease of modern societies. This bacterium, she states, may well be a counter to depression, which arises from physical conditions in the brain.Some of her points are reinforced by Doctor Doyle, who suggests that blood cancer [acute lymphoblastic leukaemia]] in children is becoming increasingly known, and he believes that modern sanitised lifestyles are to blame,a point that can also be made about asthma. Dr Doyle believes that exposure to gardens would be a therapeutic aid that might obviate the increasing prevalence of this and certain other kinds of cancer. He cites Professor Mel Greaves, who believes that the human immune system may become susceptible to cancer if it does not encounter enough bugs in early life. Gardening, Doyle believes, is an ideal way to encounter the bugs that we need.But so, says Dr Doyle, is outdoor play, which should be encouraged.
Speaking for myself, I am completely allergy-free, and this benison cannot have been hindered by the fact that from early years I played in parks several days a week and later, when we got a garden I played in it very often. My first gardening experience was at the age of five, helping my father to plant flowers. Lots of bugs,mucky hands, and no allergies! Nor have I ever had asthma.
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Thanks Derdriu. I visited the physiotherapist today who encouraged me to carry on gardening [not that I need encouragement] but she did tell me that I need to supplement gardening and walking with a structured exercise programme.
frankbeswick, May you be fully cured soon. You and you family and Veronica and hers always have my best wishes (and thanks for the educationally entertaining and entertainingly educational reads).
I deadhead with secateurs [cutters.]
Over here there was a report of a woman still gardening at a hundred.
But some good news on health. The medics have told me that with treatment my orthopaedic problems are fully curable, and I have begun treatment. I hope to return to normal, but it will take some time and regular contact with the therapist.
During my illness I carried on gardening, but took more rest breaks. I have given up my second plot and am creating a raised bed and container garden to facilitate easier management.
frankbeswick, Thank you for the practical information and product lines, especially The Wellness Garden.
Do you always dead-head flowers with your hands or do you sometimes use pruners or special scissors?
It's interesting that you mention the 97-year-old who grows pumpkins. Some two decades ago there was a similar program on this side of the pond about a man who began gardening with his early retirement at 55. His gardening went quite a distance, but with each decade he reduced it so that by 100-something it was (still quite impressively) just around his house.
Gardening with a friend or relative is a positive experience that complements gardening alone. I garden with my eldest son, who is very helpful. But today I gardened completely alone for a few hours. It was very peaceful.
I love gardening, my daughter is home from college, over the summer she really went all out gardening above and beyond what I typically would. We enjoy gardening together. She has been canning this year, blowing my socks off with her abilities to do so. Canning is something I just couldn't get the hang of. Gardening is very rewarding, relaxing and while I do have allergies it is to dust, mold and grass and tree pollen. I like you how you outlined the good practice to expose oneself to the outdoors, it helps leaps and bounds.
I get corrected by my wife, usually over things between pure green and pure blue. We differ where the break is. I realize colors blend one to another.
Thanks. I have always felt somewhat frustrated by the weakness in my set of talents, which is that I am very poor at art. I have worked at it, but It has been slow progress.
Talking of colours,my grand-daughter [aged nearly three] told me off! We were in my wife's flower garden and I said, "Look at those red flowers." She replied "They're pink!" Then turning to the neighbouring pot she pointed and said firmly"Pink" She has corrected me on my colours before, so it was as if she was saying "How many times do I have to tell you?"
Frank, perhaps you are too hard on our assessment of what makes one a master, A person with an academic masters degree, say in history, might have expertise in one branch of history but fall short in another. Here, some specialize in Western civilization, some american history, and others in Louisiana history. So, if the artistry of color blending is not your strong suit, it should not diminish the title. From reading our work, I would consider you a master gardener. No one masters every aspect of any study.
So true! I love gardening. Thanks for this great article.