May, or “Gifts from the Garden Month”, is coming to an end, but we wanted to discuss a few more of the gifts that gardening can bring. We know gardening helps us relax, meditate, and boost our self-esteem, but your garden can be a lasting source of delight in many other ways.

Here are 8 gifts the garden keeps on giving:

1. Cutting gardens bring the beauty indoors. Gather a colorful arrangement of flowers to  brighten any space in your home. Or consider spreading some cheer! Bring a small bouquet to hosts, friends, and family.
2. Access to the freshest produce. Most fruits and veggies travel long distances before they land in your local grocery store, causing them to lose flavor and nutrients. Planting your own garden gives you regular access to the freshest and most flavorful food, from your backyard to your table in just minutes, not weeks! We tend to eat healthier when we grow our own food, and even the kiddos will eat veggies from their garden. Why not plant a veggie you’ve never tried before? Lots of leafy greens grow well in any climate, and they’re packed with vitamins and antioxidants. If you end up with an overabundance, you can freeze, can, or even pickle many varieties of fruits and veggies (check the internet for recipes). You can always share extras with neighbors, too (reminder: one or two zucchini plants can feed an entire family for what feels like forever).
3. Fresh herbs. If  you’ve never cooked with fresh herbs, you can look forward to the intense flavor they add to your favorite recipes–they bring the “awesome” to your awesomesauce. Start with the most common varieties: basil, parsley, dill, oregano, cilantro, mint. They’re all easy to grow in the ground or on your sunny windowsill. You can even freeze them or dry them so you can enjoy them all year long!
4. Learning about the natural world. Gardening keeps you connected with nature and provides numerous lessons on the cycle of life: from seeds and germination to flowers and pollination, decay and regrowth. When kids tag along, they learn about beneficial insects, pollinators, worms, and most importantly, to respect Mother Nature.
5. Gardening stimulates your creativity. Choosing what to grow and developing a pleasant landscape design can be a welcome diversion to our daily routine. We can play with color, shape, texture, and all the things that get our creative juices flowing. And, planting in containers lets us mix it up whenever we feel like a change.
6. Environmental action. When it comes to helping the environment, we’re urged to “Think Global, Act Local”. You can’t save the world, but you can control what happens in your own backyard. Planting native plants maintains ecosystems for wildlife, pollinators, and beneficial insects; planting trees reduces carbon dioxide in the air while adding oxygen. Consider using a rain barrel to collect water for your garden to decrease your dependence on public water. Using all-natural, organic lawn and garden products not only adds beneficial nutrients to your soil and plants, but you can rest assured that you’re not adding any harmful chemicals to the environment. All of Nature’s Lawn and Garden’s products are non-toxic and safe for kids, pets, and the environment.
7. Attract birds and butterflies. Identifying different species and listening to the music of the birds can be both fun and soothing. There are all kinds of plant varieties that will help you welcome these visitors to your garden.
8. Increase property value. Landscaping beautifies your  property, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Neighbors may feel inspired and follow your lead, benefitting the entire community.

As with most anything in life, the more you put into it, the richer the reward. With gardening, the process itself has its own rewards, but the results are priceless gifts!