ESPLate March/Early Spring is an ideal time for spring gardening, focusing on transitioning from cool-weather crops to early warm-season planting.
Vegetables & Herbs to Plant in Late March
• Direct Sow: Carrots, beets, radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, turnips, and peas.
• Transplant/Sow Outdoors: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and onions.
• Start Indoors: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and tomatillos.
• Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil can be started or planted.
Gardening as Therapy
Gardening is also great therapy. It may surprise you to learn that regular gardening reduces anxiety and stress, and can improve mood in individuals with dementia, depression, or ADHD. It offers a constructive outlet for aggression and anxiety. Here’s how:
• Physical Health: Gardening is a form of exercise that builds strength, stamina, balance, and fine motor skills through tasks like digging, weeding, and planting.
• Cognitive & Emotional Gains: It increases focus, cognitive performance, and memory. Growing plants provides a profound sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.
• Sensory Engagement: Gardening provides stimulation through the scent of plants, the feel of soil, the sound of nature, and the visual beauty of flowers.
