I�’� y��� ���� t� �lo��!
If your g�een fi ngers have been t�itching recently, then this year’s Newpor� In Bloom competition might be right up your st�eet. I� ’� G�ea� E��r�i��
ith more and more of us taking to our gardens to create wonderful outdoor spaces to relax and entertain in, gardening has never been more popular and this year’s In Bloom judging panel can’t wait to get stuck in.
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It doesn’t matter if your garden isn’t big enough to house a pony – any garden can enter, whether there’s half an acre of beautiful blooms or a display of pots and containers – there are categories for everyone.
Whether you grow your own veg or take pride in your fl ower beds or have a beautiful wild-fl ower garden designed to attract butterfl ies and bees, this year’s In Bloom competition could see you walking away with an accolade. If you’re not already gardening and fancy having a go, here are a few great reasons to get those green fi ngers working.
He�l��� F�o�
Did you know that fresh vegetables are 50 per cent higher in nutrients than their long- travelled cousins? Growing your own is also way more cost-effective than buying.
P�rs�n�� T���
Gardening is an excellent form of exercise and includes both cardio and aerobic exercise. Research shows you can burn up to 300-400 calories an hour with moderate gardening. Gardening requires various poses with stretches, muscle tension and walking movements – these all add up to a serious workout while tending to your patch.
Pic���� P�r�ec� A house fl owing with lovely foliage of fl owers and vegetables is a pleasure to view.
T�� Ri���es� O� Gr���n� Pl�nt� Flowers or a vegetable garden are soothing and appealing. Make a little bench or a sitting area close by so you can stop and smell the roses…or beans. Your neighbours will appreciate the view too.
B���fi � C��l����’� D���l����n� Numerous studies have shown garden-based education improves academic performance and the daily activity in the garden can become an excellent family time that is a communal project to encourage team building and independent skills.
Gardening provides an outlet for your own personal time. It is not an arbitrary place or date (like “I should go to the gym sometime”), it is real and in your face. Take the time to relax and have a place to go to just let thoughts fl ow and your mind wander. If the butterfl ies can do that, so can YOU!
Ba�� t� G���� Ba�ic�
When you have your hand in the dirt and take a small seed and gently nurture it to grow into food for your family, there is a heightened sense of connection with nature, and the planet.
The fact you are growing a garden is reducing huge carbon footprints, taking the travelling aspect out of the food chain and gives the soil a boost back of nitrogen when the compost is mulched in the autumn. It also heightens the appreciation for how precious food really is and brings back an age-old art (there are Egyptian tombs with gardening information on them!).
S�n�� � A��������n� Setting your mind to embark upon a task with obvious and edible results can have
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