Our Garfield garden is one of the projects that helped us achieve Blue Zone designation. It has been a great school-community partnership over the last few years, thanks to a grant through Hy-Vee. We will start planting the week of May 18th, and throughout the summer Hy-Vee dietician Linda Ashley will provide programming about healthy garden recipes at our Garfield garden. The information below from Blue Zones Healthways gives you more information on the benefits of gardening.
• People who garden are known to live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. By being outside, working with your hands to tend and reap, you see an increase in your mood and a decrease in stress levels.
• Gardening is common in all Blue Zones® areas, where people live the longest, healthiest lives. You, too, can garden your way to better health!
• In addition, according to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), you can burn up to 150 calories for every 30-45 minutes you spend actively gardening. The best part is when you get to see (and eat!) the literal fruits of your labor. Gardening can reward you with tasty tomatoes, fragrant sprigs of rosemary, and crunchy lettuce.
• If you don’t have a backyard garden or are unsure how to start one, choose to get involved with a community or local school garden. Gardening in shared plots also encourages you to socialize, develop new friendships and feel a part of something larger — all great benefits to your personal well-being.