Gardening is often praised for its many benefits, but what if we took a different look? While I’m only half-joking here, there are some things about gardening that you might not expect, and they could make you second-guess your decision to start. In reality, these “regrets” are just some of the incredible ways gardening can positively impact your life. Let’s dive into a few reasons why you might regret starting a garden — and why those reasons are actually good things in disguise.
All That Healthy Food: The Downside of Growing Your Own Produce
One of the first reasons you might regret starting a garden is that you’ll be swimming in healthy food. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a soft spot for the occasional junk food. Cool Ranch Doritos and red velvet cupcakes from Publix? Yes, please! But when you start growing your own garden, you’re going to find yourself eating more fresh fruits and veggies — and less processed snacks.
Fresh Food vs. Store-Bought: A Nutritional Difference
There’s a big difference between food you buy at the grocery store and food you pick from your own garden. Vegetables and fruits start losing nutrients as soon as they’re harvested. For example, spinach loses about 90% of its nutritional value within 24 hours of being picked. That means by the time it reaches the store, it’s more of a filler than a vitamin-packed superfood.
Broccoli, tomatoes, and other produce lose about 30% of their nutrients in a matter of days, and fruits like apples can sit in the store for months before you buy them. Growing your own food means you’re getting produce at its peak — full of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Since I started gardening, I’ve noticed I stay fuller longer, my energy levels are higher, and my digestion has improved. There’s just something about eating real, fresh food straight from the garden that makes you feel so much better. So while you might miss your junk food, your body will thank you for all that fresh, nutritious produce.
Missing Time at the Gym: The Physical Workout of Gardening
Another reason you might regret starting a garden is that it could take away from your time at the gym. But who needs the gym when you have a garden? My husband loves going to the gym, lifting weights, and running on the treadmill. I, on the other hand, never really enjoyed it. It felt like a chore — one where I wasn’t really accomplishing anything except burning a few calories.
Gardening as Exercise
Gardening, though, is a different story. It gives you a full-body workout while also being incredibly productive. Digging, planting, hauling soil, bending over to weed and harvest — it all adds up to serious physical activity. You’re essentially getting a mix of cardio and strength training without even thinking about it. Gardening feels like interval training, with bursts of intense activity followed by slower, more mindful tasks.
I’ve found that I’m more active since I started gardening than I ever was when I had a gym membership. And at the end of the day, I’m not just exhausted from a workout; I’ve actually produced something tangible — fresh, homegrown food.
Improved Mental Health: The Hidden Garden Benefits
When I started gardening, I had no idea how much it would improve my mental health. Before I got into gardening, I struggled with anxiety and depression. I was on multiple medications, and life felt overwhelming most days. Gardening became an outlet for me, a way to focus my mind and find some peace.
The Mental Health Benefits of Getting Outside
There’s something incredibly grounding about being outside, working with your hands in the soil, and watching your garden grow. It requires patience and mindfulness, both of which are great for managing stress. Studies even back this up. A 2013 UK study found that 80% of gardeners reported being satisfied with their lives, compared to 60% of non-gardeners.
There’s also something called “soil therapy,” which suggests that the microorganisms in the soil can act as natural antidepressants by boosting serotonin levels in the brain. Between the physical activity, the fresh air, and the simple joy of watching your garden thrive, gardening has been a game-changer for my mental health. It’s brought peace and stability to my life in ways I never expected.
Helping the Environment: The Eco-Friendly Impact of Gardening
Here’s another reason you might regret starting a garden — you’ll become much more aware of your impact on the environment, and you’ll probably start caring more about it. When you garden, you’re not just growing food for yourself; you’re also helping the planet in some surprising ways.
Carbon Sequestration and Air Quality
When you grow plants, especially in an organic, diverse garden, you’re actually helping with carbon sequestration. This is the process by which plants pull carbon dioxide from the air and store it in the soil, helping to reduce the overall amount of carbon in the atmosphere. More plants also mean better air quality, as they take in carbon dioxide and release clean oxygen.
Biodiversity and Pollinators
Gardening also supports biodiversity. The more plants and flowers you grow, the more you’re supporting local pollinators like bees and butterflies. A diverse garden attracts a variety of insects and animals, creating a balanced ecosystem. You can help native species thrive just by planting a variety of crops and flowers in your garden.
Composting and Reducing Waste
Many gardeners, including myself, also get into composting. Instead of sending food scraps and yard waste to the landfill, I compost it and return those nutrients to the soil. It’s a sustainable, eco-friendly cycle that reduces waste and improves the health of my garden’s soil. Plus, by growing your own food, you’re cutting down on the carbon emissions involved in transporting produce from farms to grocery stores. It’s a small but meaningful way to reduce your environmental footprint.
Saving Money: The Long-Term Financial Garden Benefits
While gardening can be a bit of an investment at first — buying soil, seeds, containers, and tools — it pays off in the long run. Once your garden is set up, the ongoing costs are minimal, and the savings can be substantial.
Return on Investment
According to the National Gardening Association, a 600-square-foot garden can save you about $600 per year on groceries. That’s a dollar per square foot! Even smaller gardens can offer significant savings once you’ve covered the initial setup costs. Over time, the fresh produce you grow in your backyard adds up to fewer trips to the store and lower grocery bills.
So, while I’m having a little fun here, the truth is that gardening has brought so many positive changes into my life. From the health benefits to the environmental impact and even saving money, there’s really nothing to regret. Gardening connects you to nature, improves your well-being, and gives you a sense of accomplishment that’s hard to match. If you’re considering starting a garden, don’t hesitate — it’s a decision you won’t regret.
