Dobbies has a passion for plants and a belief that gardening can and should be a part of everyone’s lives.
We aim to inspire gardeners and believe in the importance of gardens and the power of green therapy to transform our lives.
The gains from gardening can be far reaching. Gardens are places that people enjoy, but many people are surprised at how far reaching the benefits really are.
Gardening is a fantastic form of physical exercise as it utilises all the major muscle groups of the body and can burn as many calories as a 30 minute aerobic workout.
As well as reducing stress levels, if you garden for 30 minutes a day you can actually tone muscles, lower blood and cholesterol levels, reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease and stokes and help prevent other chronic diseases such as osteoporosis.
30 minutes of digging actually burns off one hamburger (250 calories), mowing burns off one packet of crisps (195 calories) and weeding burns off one bar of chocolate (105 calories).
It’s widely held that gardens are relaxing places, but it has been shown that on average 50% fewer crimes take place in communities where there are green spaces?
Just being outside is known to have all round health benefits. Plants can actually improve the quality of our lives and health both physically and emotionally.
Simply sitting in a garden can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, raise energy levels, help recovery after an illness and reduce the symptoms of ADHD in children. We don’t even have to be in the company of greenery for long, studies have shown that just a few minutes are enough to soothe our minds and lift our spirits.
The sun is also vital for human wellbeing too. Our bodies use sunlight to manufacture vitamin D which we need to absorb calcium and phosphate for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D many also prevent the overproduction of cells, thereby protecting the body against certain cancers. With conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) the sun is known to have a positive effect on the mind too.
Gardens are sensory havens. A natural environment can provide a whole host of sights, scents and sounds for you to relax in. You can ‘paint’ your garden with flowers arranged in colour palettes to suit your taste. Or take the rough with the smooth and introduce varying textures of plants, shrubs and trees. And there’s no need for air fresheners and stereos when nature provides an endless range of fragrances and soothing soundtracks.
You can also make your garden even more peaceful. Large trees such as conifer species can block out street noise. Chrysanthemums, spider plants and English Ivy are effective air filterers and Oak trees improve oxygen content.
Did You Also Know?
• 60% of schools said that pupils’ attitudes to learning improved when surrounded by a green environment
• One acre of forest can produce enough oxygen to sustain 18 people for a year
• Trees around buildings can save up to 50% of energy used for heating
• 80% of modern drugs are derived from plant extract
• Recycling waste water can save up to 18,000 litres a year per person, reducing a household’s water usage by a third
• Organic produce can contain up to 50% more vitamins, minerals and enzymes than intensively-farmed produce.
• Just three small house plants can absorb toxins and purify the air in a single room
• A sprinkler watering an average sized garden uses as much water in an hour as a family of four uses in one day
• Over 80% of our food comes from bee-pollinated crops
• Offices which overlook green spaces report 23% less illness in staff
• A well-kept garden can increase the value of your property by up to 6%
