Get growing

Home » Home & Garden

Posted June 1, 2026 | By Susie Berryhill, Morning Glory Circle, Pioneer Garden Club / All photos courtesy Susie Berryhill, from her garden

During Spring, the season of renewal, millions of Americans turn joyfully to gardening.  

Gardening is a wholesome avocation that encourages appreciation for nature and concern for the preservation and enhancement of our environment. It also prompts genuine respect for those who work in agriculture today. Gardening, above all, provides a special source of fulfillment when foresight, patience and collaboration with soil and sunlight finally are repaid by lovely flowers and luscious harvests.

What is a garden? A garden is described as a “planned, cultivated space used for growing plants, such as flowers, herbs, vegetables or fruits.”  It is typically smaller-scale, hands-on and often ornamental or sustainable, separating it from large-scale farming. Gardens can be located in ground plots, raised beds or containers.

Do you have a garden? The National Garden Bureau lists the following top 10 reasons for gardening (Janis Kieft/ngb.org/top-ten-reasons-to-garden):

1. Garden for safe, healthy food. Start your own garden and know the food you’re eating is fresh, safe and has a fantastic flavor.
2. Garden for exercise. Can’t get to the gym? Or are you tired of the gym routine?  Gardening activities provide both cardio and aerobic exercise. Gardening can burn up to 300 calories for women and almost 400 calories for men. And, after you’re finished, you see immediate results in your garden even as your physical health improves — without being bored!
3. Garden to add beauty. A house with a nice yard is a pleasure to look at and satisfying to live in. Your home can be made more inviting simply by adding a container of color near the front door. Think of the garden as another room to be enjoyed whether you are inside or outside the house.
4. Garden to learn. Gardeners find that the more they learn about plants and gardening, the more they want to know. There are a variety of ways to increase gardening know-how such as seminars, Master Gardener programs, vo-tech courses and formal degree programs at a college or university. You could even join a garden club!
5. Garden to make money. For some people, gardening is a lifelong hobby. For others, the love of plants can lead to a rewarding job at a local garden center, a large global company or even owning their own business. A garden can be a source of flowers, vegetables, herbs and other crops that can be sold at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. And attractive landscaping increases a home’s value by as much as 15%.
6. Garden to meet people. Gardening is a great way to expand your social circle.  Whether it’s with someone who lives down the street or halfway around the world, gardeners love to talk about plants. Meeting other gardeners through garden clubs, plant organizations and social media is an easy way to share information, ask questions and get involved.
7. Garden to be creative. Gardening provides an outlet for creative and artistic expression. A garden’s design can reflect a personal sense of style, such as a romantic cottage garden or a peaceful Japanese garden, as well as provide a showcase for art and sculpture. With a wide variety of seeds and plants available, it’s easy to experiment with new plants or change a garden’s color scheme every year.
8. Garden to win. For people with a competitive streak, gardening is a friendly way to show off their skills. Garden clubs regularly have flower shows that highlight the best flowers grown by local gardeners. County and state fairs provide an opportunity to show everyone the giant pumpkin, beautiful beans or luscious tomatoes harvested from the garden. 
9. Garden for emotional needs and spiritual connections. Gardens play an important part in our well-being. A garden might serve as a tranquil retreat or private escape from the demands of everyday life. The beauty of flowers can lift spirits while pulling weeds can be a great release for stress and excess energy. Gardening provides a spiritual connection to life. It’s a miracle to take a tiny seed, nurture it and watch it grow into a beautiful flower or delicious food for your table. Tending a garden also contributes to improving your living space, the environment and our planet.
10. Garden for lasting memories. Yards that once grew gardens have been replaced with hot tubs and driveways. Today’s kids are missing the joy of cutting a bouquet of flowers for their mom or tasting the sweetness of a cherry tomato picked right from the plant. Gardening is a fun activity that can be shared with children and grandchildren, even if the garden is a single container or a small spot in the yard. And a garden provides a beautiful way to remember a special person or time of life.

Pioneer Garden Club of Ocala members encourage you to discover your own reason to become a gardener. Whatever reason appeals to you, gardening is a satisfying activity that provides a lifetime of benefits.

What are you waiting for? Even starting with just a few containers is a wonderful way to “cultivate” your passion for gardening.

Consider joining the Pioneer Garden Club. Membership is open to anyone is interested in gardening, floral design, the environment, making new friends and having fun.

To learn more, find the club on Facebook at Pioneer Garden Club of Ocala