Top Reasons to Garden in 2026

Mobile phones, tablets, and apps have become the tools of our modern lives. But it wasn’t that long ago that a shovel, a patch of soil, and a bag of seeds were the only tools needed to provide sustenance and satisfaction. Ask any new or experienced gardener why they garden and you’ll get a variety of reasons why it’s important to them.

Janis Kieft of the National Garden Bureau and I teamed up to offer the following top reasons to garden in 2026.

1. Garden for safe, healthy food.                                                                                                          

Reports of food-borne illnesses and contamination regularly appear in the news media. Growing concerns about pesticides in our food supply have led to an increased interest in organic gardening and the availability of organic produce. Processed foods contain additives and preservatives that many consumers want to avoid. The pandemic made some people question our food supply. An easy solution is to grow your own vegetables. It’s estimated that during WWII, 20 million homeowners had Victory Gardens that produced close to 40% of the fresh vegetables consumed in the United States. The numbers of new gardeners in 2020 was estimated at 16-20 million. Start your own garden and know the food you’re eating is fresh, safe, and has a fantastic flavor.

2. Garden for exercise.                                                                                                                          

Can’t get to the gym? Get a good workout without even thinking about it. Gardening activities provide both cardio and aerobic exercise. Studies show that an hour of moderate gardening can burn up to 300 calories for women, almost 400 calories for men. For older people, especially women, gardening can help reduce osteoporosis. Mowing the grass is like taking a vigorous walk, bending, and stretching to plant a garden compares to an exercise class, while hauling plants and soil is similar to weightlifting. Adaptive tools help those whose physical limitations prevent some activities. And after you’re finished, you see immediate results in your garden even as your physical health improves—without being bored.

3. Garden to add beauty.                                                                                                                            

A house with a nice yard is a pleasure to look at and satisfying to live in. Your home can be made more inviting simply by adding a container of color near the front door. Herbs in the kitchen add freshness as well as flavor to daily meals. Trees and shrubs not only provide color and shade but shelter for birds and wildlife. Think of the garden as another room to be enjoyed whether you are inside or outside the house.

4. Garden to learn.                                                                                                                                 

Gardeners find that the more they learn about plants and gardening, the more they want to know. Problems with insects or spots on leaves provide the opportunity to find the cause and understand how to keep plants healthy. Moving to a new house may mean leaving favorite plants but also provides the opportunity to discover new plants and growing conditions. There are a variety of ways to increase gardening know-how such as seminars, Master Gardener programs, vo-tech courses, and formal degree programs at a college or university.

5. Garden to make money.                                                                                                                    

For some people, gardening is a lifelong hobby. For others, the love of plants can lead to a rewarding job at a local garden center, a large global company, or even owning their own business. A garden can be a source of flowers, vegetables, herbs, and other crops that can be sold at local farmer’s markets and roadside stands. And whether you live in your dream home or plan on moving soon, gardening adds value to your property. Real estate agents estimate that attractive landscaping increases a home’s value by as much as 15%. It also creates interest in the house and can mean the difference between a potential buyer simply driving by or stopping to take a closer look. 

Next: More top reasons to garden in 2026.

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association Certified Plant Professional, gardening writer, and former Perry High School horticulture instructor. He can be reached at (478)954-1507 or timlewis1@windstream.net.