Growing flowers and other types of gardening is beneficial for yourself, your family, and the environment. It can improve your health, help other plants grow, and save money. It can also help you learn from local farmers! In this article, you will learn about three reasons you should grow flowers, follow one person’s journey of growing dahlias, and get some advice on how to get started!
Three Reasons Why Should You Grow Flowers
1. They can be used as companion plants and improve the pollination of other plants. For example, flowering herbs (e.g., Chamomile) may have antibacterial properties that benefit multiple types of plants within your garden or green space. This might help limit certain insects, improve growth, and increase the harvest of other fruit and vegetables. Flowers may also attract honeybees and other essential pollinators, which can also increase your harvest and help the environment. This displays that growing flowers can help your garden in multiple ways, including the overall climate and pollinators!
2. Working in a garden and growing your own plants benefits your health, regardless of age. Researchers have been trying to understand how gardening in various forms may be used for clinical interventions and to improve the well-being of others. In older adults, researchers have found that gardening may represent an accessible activity and allow individuals to be connected to their family, community, and culture. It provides a space for social interaction and connecting with others and nature. This is true for children as well. Researchers have found that adults reported benefits for children’s self-esteem, reduced stress levels, and increased knowledge and socializing. In research, home gardeners have expressed that they experience benefits including connection to nature, attention restoration, improved mood and satisfaction, and various influential learning opportunities. Overall, this research provides direct evidence on how and why growing your own plants may be beneficial.
3. Another reason to grow flowers is to save money on cut flowers and learn from local farmers.
Recently, I decided to start growing Dahlias. These flowers bloom midsummer through autumn and are very appealing to look at; however, I quickly learned that there are specific steps that you must follow to grow them. To summarize, the process involved storing tubers in a controlled space over the winter, finding the eye and planting them in the spring, hoping they bloom, digging up the tubers, and repeating the process! Below is a series of pictures of one dahlia I captured during its journey and life cycle. These photos were all taken over 17 days! You can see that this process can happen rapidly and that the flower may take a different form daily.
- In addition to learning online, I talked with local farmers about how to grow Dahlias correctly. I also purchased the tubers from a local farm and learned from their expertise. You can become more involved with your green space and community by growing flowers!
How to Get Started
No matter how much space you have, you can grow flowers, herbs, and other plants! It can be in the ground or in various pots and containers. Below are vital steps that different gardeners recommend.
- Become familiar with your planting location and the flowers you want to plant. This can include the container or soil you are growing in or the weather of your current location (e.g., frost cycle).
- Plan your process before planting. You will want to plant ahead for various steps, including when to plant, dig out, and store them (if necessary).
- Talk with others to get tips and learn. This might help you learn from your community, work out problems, and figure out the necessary tools that you may need.
- Plant (or wait until it is time) your plants!
Comment Below!
Please let us know in the comments if you grow flowers and your experiences, or if you might start growing them after reading this article!
Website Resources
- https://thistledownsfarm.com/5-benefits-of-starting-a-flower-garden/
- https://themicrogardener.com/13-benefits-of-growing-flowers-in-your-vegetable-garden/
- https://www.gardendesign.com/how-to/start-a-flower-garden.html
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/starting/how-to-start-your-flower-garden.htm
- https://www.almanac.com/plant/dahlias
Research References
- Mabey, R., McIntyre, A., & McIntyre, M. (1988). The new age herbalist: How to use herbs for healing, nutrition, body care, and relaxation. Simon and Schuster.
- Wang, D., & MacMillan, T. (2013). The benefits of gardening for older adults: a systematic review of the literature. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 37(2), 153-181.
- Scott, T. L., Masser, B. M., & Pachana, N. A. (2015). Exploring the health and well-being benefits of gardening for older adults. Ageing & Society, 35(10), 2176-2200.
- Waliczek, T. M., Lineberger, R. D., Zajicek, J. M., & Bradley, J. C. (2000). Using a web-based survey to research the benefits of children gardening. HortTechnology, 10(1), 71-76.
- Raymond, C. M., Diduck, A. P., Buijs, A., Boerchers, M., & Moquin, R. (2019). Exploring the co-benefits (and costs) of home gardening for biodiversity conservation. Local Environment, 24(3), 258-273.
Humans in Nature 