Gardening is a great way to get stuck into and benefit nature, but it’s also great for your mental health and wellbeing. Let’s celebrate gardening this National Gardening Week.

What is National Gardening Week?

National Gardening Week 2021 is taking place between 26 April – 2 May 2021.

The event was created in 2012 by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and has grown in popularity every year since, with people sharing gardening tips, hosting events, and sharing pictures of their gardens on social media.

Each year there is a different theme. This year the theme is ‘Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin G’, with the G standing for green!

Why is the week so important?

The week is the UK’s biggest celebration of gardening. It raises awareness of the benefits of both being in the garden and gardening can have on people’s lives, as well as the other benefits. It aims to inspire more people, particularly younger people, to take up gardening to create beautiful, green, and relaxing spaces.

How can I get involved?

Here are a list of ideas to help you get your dose of Vitamin G this National Gardening Week:

Bring the outdoors in

Perhaps you don’t have a garden, or want to bring some of that Vitamin G indoors. Why not add a green houseplant on your desk, windowsill or coffee table? Studies have shows that having houseplants nearby whilst your work and study can increase productivity and reduce stress!

Head outdoors to relax

Try to incorporate getting outside to relax. Why not sit in your garden and listen to birdsong or enjoy the scents freshly cut grass or spring flowers.

Grow some crops

Have a go at growing some crops – it’s not as daunting as it sounds. If you’re new to gardening, why not pick up some herb seeds, plant them and pop them on your windowsill. You’ll be able to harvest herbs, salad leaves, and microgreen in only a few weeks! Then you can add them to your meals for a boost of Vitamin G flavour.

Check out this handy guide from the RHS about creating a salad box for your windowsill!

Interact with nature

Even if you aren’t gardening, you can still reap the benefits of Vitamin G by being surrounded by plants in your garden. Maybe you could head out for a walk, run, or circle through your local park? Maybe you could dine outside with a picnic or a BBQ? There’s loads of ways to get out and enjoy your garden or local green spaces.

Related Information

Check out TheSprout’s information page on all thing Environment.

TheSprout also have a Mental Health information page.