By late February many of us in El Paso are turning our attention to our gardens. Our southwestern winters are considered mild (in comparison to other parts of the country) and our springs are considered to be short before the hotter temperatures take over -so now is the time to get to gardening. What may provide extra incentive is that gardening is actually considered great exercise.

Gardening not only brings you the joy of being outdoors and digging your hands into the earth, it also helps work all the major muscle groups: legs, buttocks, arms, shoulders, neck, back and abdomen. Ask any nurseryman, gardening tasks build muscle strength and burns calories.

How many calories?

Some general examples from Iowa State University, below, show how some of the more strenuous gardening tasks can really burn calories.

• Digging holes: Men, 197 calories; Women, 150 calories

• Planting: Men, 177 calories; Women, 135 calories

• Weeding: Men, 157 calories; Women, 156 calories

The National Institute of Health lists gardening for 30 to 45 minutes in its recommended activities for moderate levels of to combat obesity, along with biking 5 miles in 30 minutes and walking 2 miles at the same time.

More Health Benefits

Research is showing that gardening for just 30 minutes daily will help:

• Increase flexibility

• Strengthen joints

• Decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels

• Lower your risk for diabetes

• Slow osteoporosis

Know more: https://www.thespruce.com/is-gardening-good-exerci...

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