Gardening in Decatur

Mary Miller, Director of City of Decatur Children & Youth Services, let us know about this neat WSB TV video featuring the Oakhurst Community Garden and "The All Girls Green Team", which "is part of the program offered to middle school students at our DREAM Camp for 6th-8th graders."

Scott Garden, located behind the Decatur Recreation Center next to the tennis courts, is a city garden run by the Active Living Division, and feature 30 plots for city residents. It's a nice spot where you'll see all ages working together, and also makes for a nice, shaded lunch spot under the pergola.

Gardening offers physical fitness benefits for all ages. From The American Institute of Cancer Research:

"Researchers estimate that gardening burns an average of 300 calories per hour, while heavy yard work can burn more than 600 calories per hour!
Engaging in regular physical activity like gardening is also an excellent way to lower your risk of some cancers. Gardening is an ideal form of exercise because it combines three important types of physical activity: strength, endurance and flexibility. Spending time in a garden is also believed by many to have physical and emotional healing effects. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, gardening can benefit people who are recovering from physical illness by retraining their muscles and improving coordination, balance, and strength. In addition, simply spending time in nature reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and relieves muscle tension."

So if you're looking for a low-impact exercise, and maybe growing your own tomatoes, consider gardening as an option.