Gardening

Enhance your wellbeing.

Why gardening is important for a healthy home

Plants are responsible for cleaning the air we breathe and generating the food we eat. Research shows that by connecting with nature we can improve our health, well-being and happiness, as well as helping us make more environmentally responsible decisions in how we live.

How connecting with nature can make your home healthier

Indoor plants have been shown to improve air quality, well-being and to raise productivity, plus, the act of looking after a plant can be beneficial for your mental health too.

Air Quality - Plants do more than just convert carbon monoxide back into breathable oxygen, they can also clean the air in your home. Some plants excel at removing volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can take the form of harmful pollutants.

Well-being - A study from The Agricultural University of Norway found that people who live or work in spaces that are decorated with plants experience lower levels of fatigue, headaches, coughs, nasal congestion, itchy and irritated skin. Minor ailments such as these can in some cases lead to more serious illness.

Productivity - Having plants around you can improve your productivity and reduce stress levels. A study from Washington State University found that people working in rooms with plant life experienced a 12% boost to productivity. Whether you're working from home, cooking dinner or just tidying up, the mere presence of plants can help you get the job done better and faster.

Mental health - There are numerous studies that have shown that interaction with gardens, green spaces, and other areas with plant life can improve the mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand states that 30 minutes of physical activity a day is a great way to improve your mood, so getting out into the garden is great for both mental and physical health.

Growing your own food - Whether you have a full garden of edible vegetables or just a few potted herbs, growing your own food has plenty of benefits. Fresher food tends to be more nutritious and growing at home uses less chemicals than larger crops. The up front costs are generally much lower than what you would spend at the supermarket on the same amount of food, and because there's no transport required, you're not using fossil fuels. It also presents a chance to bond with family members and it's a great learning opportunity for your little ones.

Composting - A great way to return valuable nutrients to the soil, improving your soil condition and giving your plants and flowers plenty of food.

What you need to know

Landlords

As a landlord, you have different responsibility to renters when it comes to keeping the grounds around a tenanted property tidy and well maintained, and these responsibilities can be discussed at the beginning of the tenancy and should be outlined in your tenancy agreement.

Homeowners

There are a number of opportunities you have to create a beautiful landscape and customise your own back yard so you can grow vegetables, herbs, flowers and more. Even if you have limited space, there are clever ways to add some plant life to your home.

Renters

As a renter, you're expected to keep the property “reasonably clean and tidy.” When it comes to the maintenance of outdoor spaces, there are no universal rules about which jobs are yours and which are your landlords. This is decided on a case by case basis. You should make sure you understand what your maintenance responsibilities are at the beginning of your tenancy.

Get started on your journey to a healthier home