Cultivating Calm. The Powerful Connection Between Mental Health and Gardening

In a world that often moves too fast, where screens and schedules dominate our lives, many people are rediscovering an age-old remedy for stress, anxiety, and burnout: gardening. Whether you are tending to a balcony full of herbs or managing a backyard vegetable patch, digging into the soil does more than grow food or flowers. It nurtures your mental well-being.

The Science Behind the Soil

Research continues to confirm what gardeners have long known. Spending time with plants is good for your mind. Gardening has been shown to:

• Reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels.

• Improve mood by increasing serotonin through exposure to soil microbes like Mycobacterium vaccae.

• Enhance focus and mindfulness, similar to meditation.

• Boost self-esteem through small daily wins and visible growth.

• Create a sense of purpose, especially when growing food or beautifying a space.

  
  

Gardening as a Form of Therapy

Horticultural therapy is now used in many rehabilitation centers, senior communities, and mental health programs. It provides a non-verbal, nurturing practice that can be especially healing for those struggling with depression, trauma, or grief. The act of caring for a plant mirrors the steps of healing. Planting, watering, waiting, and watching growth unfold.

At UCF Urban Teaching Farm, this approach is being put into action through our VetForward program, which supports Veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans are invited to work alongside others in the soil, caring for crops and cultivating life. This hands-on experience provides grounding, routine, and a safe space to process emotions. For many, it is not just about growing vegetables. It is about reconnecting with purpose, rediscovering calm, and healing through nature.

Grounded in the Present Moment

One of the most beautiful aspects of gardening is that it pulls you into the present. The texture of the soil, the sound of birds, the scent of basil or roses. All these sensory experiences help quiet the mind and bring you back to the present moment. It is hard to spiral into anxious thoughts when you are focused on whether your tomatoes are ripening or your marigolds need deadheading.

Building Community and Connection

Community gardens and urban farms are also sprouting up in neighborhoods across the country. They serve as spaces for people to connect, share stories, and work side by side. For Veterans in the VetForward program, this sense of connection can be especially powerful. It reminds them they are not alone. Healing can happen in community, one seed at a time.

Tips to Get Started

You do not need a green thumb or a big yard to reap the mental health benefits of gardening. Here are a few ways to start:

• Try a container garden with a few pots of herbs or flowers.

• Grow food indoors with a small hydroponic system or a sunny windowsill.

• Volunteer at a community garden or urban farm.

• Use gardening as part of your daily routine, even if it is five minutes a day.

• Journal your garden’s progress to reflect on growth in the plants and in yourself.

Final Thoughts

Gardening is more than a hobby. It is a pathway to healing. In every planted seed, there is a quiet lesson in patience. In every blooming flower, there is a message of hope. Whether you are tending a single succulent or an entire backyard, give yourself permission to grow. You might just find that as your garden thrives, so does your peace of mind.

Want to see this in action? Visit the UCF Urban Teaching Farm and learn more about our VetForward program and how gardening is making a difference in the lives of our Veterans.