The patio doesn't have to be attached to the house.


Creating a garden is a good thing


Creating a garden to live in is even better By Dorothy Dobbie


C


reating a garden to live in is almost a necessity in today’s stressful, machine-dominated world. Getting outside for those short spring, fall and summer hours


is one of the most therapeutic things we can do. Being outdoors in the garden provides previously


unthought-of benefits. Exposure to sunlight bathes us in vitamin D to protect us all winter long from a variety of ailments, not the least of which is depression. Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus, improves heart health and even gives you resistance to the flu. Being in the garden has other benefits. It has recently


localgardener.net


been discovered that being outdoors is essential in prevent- ing myopia, or nearsightedness, especially important for our kids. As my father always said, “you have to eat a peck of dirt


before you die.” Turns out he was right; the soil is host to wonderful bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, which stimu- lates serotonin production, making you feel happy. It also improves learning ability. To get a dose, get your hands dirty. Or just breathe deeply in a garden. There should be enough floating in the air to give you a fix. Repeat the process all summer long.


Spring 2015 • 27


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