The Benefits of Gardens & Gardening

Gazing (1) out the window to catch a glimpse (2) of a yard teeming (3) with straight rows of fresh vegetables or beds of flowers blooming with bright colors is something many of us long for (4) at our own homes. And, it's not only the beauty or easy access to fresh vegetables that draws (5) us to plant gardens. The fact is that vegetable and flower gardens offer a variety of benefits.

For starters, these gardens provide us with easy access to freshly grown and nutritious vegetables. As we have often been taught, in order to maintain the best health and nutrition, it is vital that we eat plenty (6) of fresh fruits and vegetables. When we have a vegetable garden right outside our door, it is much easier for us to include such nutrient-rich (7) foods in our daily diets. It seems effortless (8) to eat "the rainbow" of delicious red tomatoes, orange and yellow peppers, and purple eggplant when all we have to do is step outside our door to pluck (9) one from the garden.

Where flower gardens are concerned, seeing how these colorful displays enhance (10) the beauty of our outdoor spaces is a benefit in and of itself (11). Simply taking in the view of red geraniums, white daisies or yellow lilies can give our spirits a lift (12) when we may be feeling stressed or bogged down (13) with life's demands. What's more is that these colorful floral displays often invite a variety of birds and butterflies as well, granting us a front-row seat (14) to nature's loveliness (15). 

Beyond the access to fresh vegetables or vibrant colorful displays, gardens also furnish (16) us with another reason to get outdoors and to be physically active. With the proliferation (17) of sedentary (18) activities that many of us face today--long daytime hours at a computer or evenings in front of the TV--getting enough movement and exercise can be challenging. But when there's a garden to maintain, we're encouraged to drop our excuses in order to tend (19) to the needs of our vegetables and flowers. 

Additional health benefits that we may experience while gardening relate more to our emotional and psychological well-being rather than solely (20) to our physical health. Many of us find puttering (21) around in the garden, while caring for our flowers and vegetables, to be a great way to alleviate (22) stress. Furthermore, we may find that our mental health also gets a boost (23) from the time outdoors where we are able to connect with nature. For these reasons, some of us may find gardening to be a therapeutic (24) hobby.

 With such a variety of benefits that come along with gardening, it's a wonder that more of us don't have one. It's important to remember that vegetable and flower gardens don't need to be expansive in order to be beneficial. If we are limited to small patios, balconies, or decks due to apartment living or busy lifestyles, a small container garden may be just the right size. On the flip side, (25) if neither time nor space are limiting factors, then we can follow through with our grand designs for vast (26) flower and vegetable gardens. I wonder which garden-type each of us will choose.

Additional Comprehension Practice (Coming Soon)