It’s National Garden Month, which “celebrates the great American tradition of gardening at home, at school and in the community,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A vegetable garden is a great way to have some control over your food supply, eat healthier, and save time and money by reducing trips to the grocery store. It may surprise you, however, that the benefits of your garden – or gardens – extend far beyond your household.

A cleaner planet. Most of us learned about photosynthesis in our science classes, seeing diagrams of how green plants take in carbon dioxide and recycle it into life-saving oxygen. But plants also remove chemicals and heavy metals from soil and groundwater. This means if you see a plant in poor health, it may be because it absorbed something harmful to us – and sacrificed its health doing it!

Positive impacts of animal life. Beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies need your flowering plants – and plants need them. Your garden will also likely attract beneficial insects that take care of more destructive insects (although some, like the praying mantis, are not very discriminating).

Larger plant life that you grow and cultivate, like shrubs and trees, will attract birds and possibly other wildlife, while also providing you with shade and wind and noise breaks.

Physical health. In addition to the benefits of consuming a home-grown food source, you perform important physical movements while gardening that can give your core a workout while aiding your flexibility and your balance. You’ll bend, lift, dig, rake, and squat. You’ll carry pots and bags of mulch, push a cart or wheelbarrow, and mow. Naturally, if you have physical limitations, you should use tools necessary to prevent harm, such as gardening stools. Even increasing your time for stretching and spending more time outdoors—and getting that essential Vitamin D—is extremely beneficial.

Mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, several studies verify a link between any exposure to nature and both physical and psychological well-being. What greater way to gain this exposure than by creating and tending to a garden – while getting all of the other benefits? The Mayo Clinic also lists several mental health benefits specific to gardening, such as reduced stress and anxiety levels, and a feeling of satisfaction in growing and sharing your own food. It also mentions that routine gardening tasks can be soothing, and that interacting with other gardeners, whether in your home or in a community gardening environment, can create social connections that offer valuable support and acceptance.

Always remember, too, that you have valuable mental health resources available through your Transocean benefits, including both in-person and virtual visits, and through the Talkspace digital platform. We also have a webinar next month on Anxiety and Depression through 2nd.MD—click for details.

So what are you waiting for? Even if you have limited outdoor space or live in an apartment setting, check out some space-saving vertical garden systems. If you don’t have a green thumb, but want to learn more, you can also search for community gardens in your area or take a gardening course.

Ready, set … flourish!