{"id":16319,"date":"2021-08-30T07:57:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T13:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=16319"},"modified":"2022-04-12T09:02:34","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T15:02:34","slug":"gardening-for-people-pets-and-pollinators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/health-wellness\/gardening-for-people-pets-and-pollinators","title":{"rendered":"Gardening For People, Pets, and Pollinators"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you have an apartment window sill or a sprawling 10 acres, you have an opportunity to contribute to the ecosystem in which you live. Outward Hound has partnered with <\/span>The Peoples Bees<\/span><\/a>, an urban beekeeping project<\/a> in Denver, Colorado, to guide people of all gardening experience levels in creating and maintaining a garden that provides for pollinators\u2014such as bees, butterflies, and birds\u2014that your pet can safely be around.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not already familiar with gardening, let us begin by saying there are so many reasons to take it up! For starters, it\u2019s good for you. <\/span>Research proves that gardening<\/span><\/a> can improve mood, strengthen self-esteem, increase attention span, and provide exercise. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gardening and Mental Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Gardening requires us to learn and understand how soil, seeds, plants, climate, and wildlife all cooperate together; therefore building a relationship with the Earth, which connects us with our more primitive needs and boosts our serotonin levels\u2014especially after a long day working indoors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With gardening comes challenges. Failure through trial and error can teach us humility, but success, on the other hand, can strengthen our self-esteem and sense of self-sufficiency. Successfully growing a tomato plant<\/a> from seed is an achievement anyone can be proud of\u2014especially after the first half dozen seeds failed to flourish.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern ways of living have evolved to require multitasking, thereby stretching our attention spans so thin we often feel overwhelmed. Gardening requires patience and focus, which can be incredibly calming for a busy and tired mind.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly, gardening requires physical movement, which is healthy for everyone of just about any mobility. Whether you\u2019re standing, sitting, or kneeling, the work of gardening will activate small muscles in the neck, back, arms, shoulders, fingers, and toes that may otherwise go unused. But be careful\u2014too much of anything can lead to strain and pain, and be sure to wear sunscreen<\/a> during your time outdoors!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gardening and the Environment<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Now that we\u2019ve sold you on gardening, let\u2019s explore what it does for your environment. Many of the seeds we sow produce flowers. Fruits like tomatoes, squash, and strawberries; vegetables like potatoes, broccoli, and lettuces; nuts like almonds and peanuts; legumes like peas and soy; and herbs like mint, basil, and fennel all produce the beautiful and delicate sculptures we call flowers. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flowers are critical to ecosystems as they are responsible for reproducing the crop from which they grow; they produce nectar to attract pollinators, like bees, butterflies, and birds, who enjoy the sweet snack while incidentally spreading the pollen, which flowers also produce, consequently fertilizing the plant and increasing its yummy yield. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pollinators are essential<\/strong> to this planet. No pollinators mean more than \u2153 less of the fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and herbs we eat and thrive from (not to mention honey<\/a>!). Gardens are not only great for us but also for the big and small critters around us.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a Pet-Safe Garden Indoors & Outdoors<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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And speaking of critters, canines may build a relationship with our gardens too! Whether your pup is the type to roll in it, gnaw at it, or steer clear of it, pet-friendly gardens are possible\u2014and simple\u2014to keep.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, you should know a few common garden plants that are toxic to dogs, but loved by pollinators. Garden plants toxic to dogs include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n