Intensive growing techniques include: Succession planting – Replanting in the same area to keep all parts of the garden in production; Intercropping – Planting fast and slow growing crops in the same row at the same time; Vertical planting – Growing crops on trellises or other supports to use space efficiently; and.

We feel better when we are surrounded by nature. Gardening is a mindfulness practice and eases stress levels. Harvesting your own produce from your garden provokes the release of dopamine.

“It's about maintaining a happy, healthful connection with the soil, without the toil.” Some of the lessons Bills teaches is to plant only what a gardener can comfortably tend, to put the right plant in the right place, to make the most of small spaces, and to deal with weeds simply and effectively.

Why does gardening seem to be so beneficial to health? It combines physical activity with social interaction and exposure to nature and sunlight. Sunlight lowers blood pressure as well as increasing vitamin D levels in the summer,⁴² and the fruit and vegetables that are produced have a positive impact on the diet.