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University of Illinois Extension serving Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash and Wayne Counties

Main Office (Lawrence County)
600 Cherry Lane
Lawrenceville, IL 62439
Phone: 618-943-5018
FAX: 618-943-4968
Email:uie-elrww@illinois.edu
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:00am-4:30pm (Closed 12-1pm)

Branch Office (Edwards County)
350 N 7th St
Albion, IL 62806
Phone: 618-445-2934
FAX: 618-445-3746
Hours: Mon.-Wed., 8:00am-4:30pm (Closed 12-1pm)

Branch Office (Richland County)
306 South Fair Street
P.O. Box 130
Olney, IL 62450-2236
Phone: 618-395-2191
FAX: 618-392-4906
Hours: Mon.-Wed., 8:00am-4:30pm (Closed 12-1pm)

Branch Office (Wabash County)
15039 Four H Center Lane
Mt. Carmel, IL 62863
Phone: 618-262-5725
FAX: 618-263-3370
Hours: Wed.-Fri., 8:00am-4:30pm (Closed 12-1pm)

Branch Office (Wayne County)
#2B Frontier Dr
Fairfield, IL 62837
Phone: 618-842-3702
FAX: 618-842-4725
Hours: Mon.-Wed., 8:00am-4:30pm (Closed 12-1pm)

News Release

Gardening for Health

February 6, 2012

Gardening is good for your mental and physical health. Certainly done properly, gardening is good exercise. Rhonda Ferree, University of Illinois Extension educator, horticulture, says that research has also found that plants are important for our mental health.

Physically, gardening helps build strength. University of Arkansas research found that people who garden at least once a week have higher bone density than those who swim, jog, walk or do aerobics.

Gardening also burns calories. Here are some examples of how many calories are burned during 30 minutes of the activity for a 180-pound person. Generally, a person who weighs more will burn more calories; while a person weighing less burns fewer calories. Sitting quietly burns 40 calories compared to watering lawn or garden 61, mowing lawn (riding) 101, trimming shrubs (power) 142, raking 162, weeding 182, digging 202, and shoveling snow 243. On the average, general gardening uses 202 calories in 30 minutes.

Even if you don't garden, you will benefit from just being around plants. Many researchers have proved this point in various ways.

Indoors, hospital studies have shown that just seeing plants (and/or their flowers) can make a difference. Patients with plants in view recovered more quickly from major surgery. They needed significantly fewer painkillers – even if the plants were outside a window, rather than in the patient's room.

NASA studies discovered foliage plants, such as the philodendron and spider plant, reduce indoor air pollutants.

Kansas State's horticultural therapists measured biomedical responses to plants, studying the reactions of the human brain, heart, and sensory and immune systems. Researcher Eunhee Kim found that red-flowering geraniums shortened the time women need to recover from stress.

Joe Laviana of Kansas State proved a single plant or flower in an office has the same psychological effect as a roomful of plants and flowers. Dr. Laviana's work built on nationwide findings that plants increase productivity. They reduce both stress and absenteeism. They create a feeling that the workplace is a safer, more pleasant place to be.

Add plants to your surroundings and enjoy your gardens each day. Few things so clearly aid both physical and emotional well-being.

Local Contact: Adam Feig, County Extension Director, adamfeig@illinois.edu