Gardening for Health

Grow your own healthy food. Turn your garden into a source of delight, good health and create your own backyard fitness center. You don't need a lot of space - your edible garden can grow in pots, an old wheelbarrow or a couple of fruit boxes. You will save money, too! Gardening is cheaper than watering your lawn and will save you lots at the grocery store. See More>>

Gardening encourages adults and kids to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables by: Making fresh fruits and vegetables readily available Adding in the excitement of eating something healthy because you grew it Creating a greater appreciation for how food is grown (Carrots do not magically appear on grocery store shelves.) Providing opportunities to practice preparing nutritious foods and new foods

Research also shows that gardening is an ideal form of exercise. Gardening is a moderate and sometimes strenuous exercise that includes stretching, standing, repetition and movement as well as resistance activities similar to weight training. Regular garden chores can burn anywhere from 120 to 100 calories each half hour, depending on how fast or how hard you are working. If you enjoy the satisfaction of taking care of your own garden, you don't have to give it up just because you have arthritis. In fact, gardening is a great activity for maintaining joint flexibility, range of motion and quality of life.

Share part of your garden's bounty with the Utah Food Bank.

Watch "Gardening for Good Health" stories on kutv.com

Do you know how many fruits and vegetables you need? Take the quiz.

Find out how to include more fruits and vegetables - in all forms - into your family's meals every day.

If you don't have the space or the energy to start your own home garden, try getting involved with a community garden in your neighborhood. We have provided a list of several places below. Or, you can organize a garden with your church, community recreation center or other civic organization. Wasatch Community Gardens is one organization that can help you get started!

Forest EcoGarden - 1575 W. 1000 N.
Jeff Ward - 801-364-2122, jeff@treeutah.org
The garden project's goal is to engage the Rose Park community through gardening workshops, classes, and events. Partners include Day-Riverside Library, U of U Lowell Bennion Center, SLC Urban Forestry Division, and SLC Parks & Recreation.

Full Circle Garden - 555 E. 200 S.
Shea Wickelson - 801-596-8489, shea@cityacademyslc.org
The school-based project will benefit not only students but surrounding businesses and apartment residents. Students will learn about biology, cooking, and food preservation techniques through this project. Partners include City Academy, Action for Healthy Kids, West High School, and Western Garden Center.

Heritage Commons Garden - 2140 E. Red Butte Rd.
Aaron Sisson - 801-587-0852, asisson@housing.utah.edu
The garden will be developed at Heritage Commons - the site utilized as "Olympic Village" during the 2002 Winter Games. Partners include Housing & Residential Education and Shoreline Ridge Community Council. Plans are to focus on organic gardening and provide gardening education to residents.

Historic Sandy Garden - 300 E. 9000 S.
Jenny Winkel or Shane Siwik, utahgardens@comcast.net
The garden is being developed at a new location in the Historic Sandy City neighborhood. Partners include Utah GARDENS and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Target is low-income families and individuals who wish to stretch their grocery dollar by supplementing with garden produce.

Pioneer Garden - 2046 Adams Ave.
Crystine Riches - 801-393-8130, wnriches@yahoo.com
The project will provide stability and unity among residents of this low-income and highly transient Ogden neighborhood. Produce will be available on Sundays to those in need. Sponsors include Pioneer Ward (LDS Church) and Pioneer Lawn & Landscape.

Riley Pride Garden - 1410 S. 800 W.
Christi Paulson - 801-974-8310, christi.paulson@slc.k12.ut.us
The garden project located at Riley Elementary School has a strong focus on parental involvement. Students will have a chance to be more active and to try new fruits and vegetables. Produce will be distributed to students and their families. Partners include Slow Food Utah and the Parent Teacher Association.

Seven Canyons School - 2150 S. Foothill Dr.
Jennifer Hamilton - 801-463-1360, sevencanyonschool.jhamilton@earthlink.net
The elementary school-based project will involve Biodynamic Farming methods of gardening. Students, staff, teachers, and parents will maintain the garden and community workshops will be offered. Partnering with First Congregational Church and Utah Organics.

South Valley Gardens - 7631 Chapel Street and 244 E. Vine Street
Billy Swartzfager - 801-256-9008, williamswartzfager@yahoo.com
Enhancements will be made to gardens at Boys and Girls Clubs in Midvale and Murray. The gardening experience will be incorporated into academic lessons while gaining the opportunity for proper nutrition and physical activity. With the fresh produce, the onsite "Kid's Café" will provide healthy snacks and meals to low-income children, teens, and families.

Urban Growth - 300 N. 900 W.
Gina Zivkovic - 801-638-0666, djohnhansen@mac.com
The project will provide opportunities for Fairpark residents to beautify and revitalize their community while benefiting from being physically active in the garden. Partners include First Step House, Of The Earth, People's Market, Reagan Outdoor Advertising, and others.

Watchwood Garden - 2200 W. 4130 S.
Priscilla Jones - 801-955-1055, pjones@pureutah.com
The garden will be developed on a lot that has been vacant for 30 years. Raised plots will allow accessibility to those who have challenges working at ground level. Partners include Taylorsville Elementary School, Salt Lake Community College, and the City of Taylorsville.