Whilst we are all staying at home as much as possible, it’s important to remember that doesn’t always mean staying inside. If you’re lucky enough to have your own green space or a garden area, then this spring and summer it’s likely this area will become even more important than ever before.

There are many reasons that spending time in your garden or local allotment is good for you. Of course, there is the obvious physical benefits of being outdoors and moving your body, but it doesn’t stop there. Toro, a global leader in turf and landscape equipment, has shared some ways to get healthy and green fingered in the garden.

Be happier and healthier

We know that gardening is a great stress reliever and therefore, at a time like this, it has many benefits that go beyond the expected.

Research undertaken in 2010 found a reduction in Cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, after 30 minutes of gardening. Other studies also showed benefits. According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania in 2015, increased physical activity, such as gardening and other exercise, was associated with better sleep habits. And further studies demonstrated that gardening contributed to a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms.

Grow Your Own

Growing your own food can also have a positive impact on physical and mental health. Not only is growing and preparing your own fruit and vegetables a satisfying thing to do, but fruits and veg from your own garden may be higher in nutrients and have none of the pesticides used in commercial farming, making home-grown produce both healthier and tastier.

If you’d like to give it a try, you could start with a small herb garden on the balcony, or a vegetable patch consisting of easy to grow produce such as tomatoes and strawberries. The BBC has some great advice on how and where to put your patch.

To get started and to be sure to plant the right things at the right time, visit RHS grow your own and get month by month tips! May is an optimum time to plant out strawberries, as well as French beans, runner beans, squash, cucumbers and pumpkin seeds.

If you’ve already started planting, now is the time to harvest any rhubarb, radishes and asparagus and enjoy the fruits and veg of your labour.

Reap what you sow

Enjoying your dinner outside is another great benefit of having some outside space. Perhaps you will be garnishing your dish with some homegrown herbs, but whether you’re enjoying your own food or not, al fresco dining surely improves most food.

To really make the most of your outside space why not create an eating area, either with raised seating or some waterproof blankets and throws for a more picnic feel. Be sure to have a nicely mowed lawn on which to sit too.

If it’s dinner for the whole family, why not get the kids to arrange the dining space? Lay the picnic mat with cushions and fun activities as well as food to eat and the event will keep everyone smiling for hours with no mess to clean up indoors!

Lay the foundation for fun

Of course, for everyone planning on venturing into their own great outdoors this summer, having a lovely mown lawn is also essential. Not only will a smooth lawn increase the comfort of al fresco dining, it will also make an excellent canvas for exercise or games being played outside right now. Not to mention that it will make a great impression when visitors are able to pop round for a garden party or BBQ!

To be sure you have a great looking garden, the Flex-Force 55cm Recycler® 60V1 mower is an easy and effective way to deal with your lawn. Its features, including the Toro Easy Start function, which allows you to easily start the machine with just the push of a button, and the Automatic Drive System, which adjusts the speed of the mower to match your pace, make it very easy to use and a great way to ensure you have a lawn you can enjoy this summer.

For more information, visit www.toro.com/en

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