A number of Mayo garden centres have signed up to a new national campaign called GroMór, which aims to promote the health benefits of gardening and get the country growing.
Horkan’s Garden Centre, Castlebar, Keane’s in Claremorris, Homeland in Swinford, Claremorris, Castlebar, Ballyhaunis, Ballinrobe, Ballina, and Homeland Plus in Westport are all supporting the initiative.
Supported by Bord Bia, GroMór aims to make gardening accessible to everyone by offering practical advice on how to make the most of your space, whether it is an allotment, an apartment balcony, or even a herb garden for the kitchen table.
The campaign targets gardening novices, particularly first time buyers and young families, who are keen to grow their own flowers and food, but who might not know where to begin.
The website, www.gromor.ie, is packed with helpful advice on what to grow and when to sow, and experts will be on hand in each participating garden centre to provide tips and to answer any questions.
The health benefits of gardening for both adults and children are well documented. Gardening can improve strength, endurance, and flexibility, and can even help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.
Forty-five minutes of gardening burns as many calories as 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, and studies have also shown that simply being in the presence of plants can reduce stress and increase wellbeing – office plants can even boost productivity by up to 15 per cent.
