Top Reasons to Garden in 2026- Part Two

Last week we examined several of the many reasons why people love to garden. Today, from the National Garden Bureau, we take a look at a few more of the pleasures and advantages of gardening.

Garden to meet people. Gardening is a great way to expand your social circle. Whether it’s with someone who lives down the street or halfway around the world, gardeners love to talk about plants.

Surplus tomatoes, a bouquet of flowers, or an extra plant, are gifts to be shared with friends and neighbors. Meeting other gardeners through garden clubs, plant organizations, and social media is an easy way to share information, ask questions and get involved.

Garden to be creative. Gardening provides an outlet for creative and artistic expression. A garden’s design can reflect a personal sense of style such as a romantic cottage garden or a peaceful Japanese garden, as well as provide a showcase for art and sculpture. Like to try something new? 

With the wide variety of seeds and plants available, it’s easy to experiment with new plants or change a garden’s color scheme every year.

Garden to win. For people with a competitive streak, gardening is a friendly way to show off their skills. Garden clubs regularly have shows that highlight the best flowers grown by local gardeners. County and state fairs provide an opportunity to show everyone the giant pumpkin, beautiful beans, or luscious tomatoes harvested from the garden. And photo-driven social media sites like Instagram are a natural way to show your successes!

Garden for emotional needs and spiritual connections. Gardens play an important part in our well-being. A garden might serve as a tranquil retreat or private escape from the demands of everyday life. The beauty of flowers can lift spirits while pulling weeds can be a great release for stress and excess energy. A harvest of colorful flowers or tasty vegetables provides a sense of achievement and feelings of success, while neighbors and visitors often express their appreciation of those efforts.

On a higher level, gardening provides a spiritual connection to life. It’s a miracle to take a tiny seed, nurture it, and watch it grow into a beautiful flower or delicious food for your table. Tending a garden also contributes to improving your own living space, the environment, and our planet.

Garden for lasting memories. Yards that once grew gardens have been replaced with hot tubs and driveways. Today’s kids are missing the joy of cutting a bouquet of flowers for their mom or tasting the sweetness of a cherry tomato picked right from the plant.

Gardening is a fun activity that can be shared with children and grandchildren, even if the garden is a single container or a small spot in the yard. And a garden provides a beautiful way to remember a special person or time of life.

The National Garden Bureau and I encourage you to discover your own reason to become a gardener. Whatever reason appeals to you, gardening is a satisfying activity that provides a lifetime of benefits.

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.