Monday, April 18th, 2016

It’s hard to resist the call of spring with the birds chirping and the flowers just starting to bud. If this is the year you want to exercise your green thumb, it’s time to get going! There are many benefits to starting a garden. You can get some much-needed physical activity, boost your property value, and protect your home from intruders and moisture. If you’re planning on starting a garden this year, here’s what you need to know.

Health

Turns out, gardening is good for your health. According to WebMD, you can burn an average of between 200 and 400 calories per hour pulling weeds and planting flowers. Since you’re constantly on the move, bending, stretching, reaching and lifting, you’re engaging many muscles and building strength and endurance at the same time.

Value

Whether you’re looking to sell your home in the near future or not, a beautifully landscaped garden area can boost your property and curb appeal. That’s because your lawn and garden are the first things people see when they pull up to your home. The state of your lawn will reflect well or poorly on the rest of the neighborhood. In fact, a well-maintained garden and surrounding landscaping can add up to 28 percent to your home’s overall value, says House Logic.

Protection

Gutters and gardens can go hand in hand when protecting your foundation from excess water damage. Having a well-maintained gutter that points well away from the home down a slight slope will help exponentially with water problems. Add another layer of defense with short shrubbery and flowers that can protect your home even more. If you have flower beds near the foundation, just be sure the borders feature openings that rainwater can drain away from your home. Rather than plant high shrubbery around the perimeter of your home where intruders can hide while attempting to get in, trim them way down or go with a simple low-lying garden that doesn’t give anyone a place to hide. By trimming back bushes and hedges away from windows, you’re letting in more natural light as well, which can boost your mood and energy level.