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SALT LAKE CITY — With summer right around the corner, many are preparing to enjoy the heat and stay active by starting a family garden.
Gardening enthusiasts said the simple process of working in the yard can help your overall health.
"Gardening — still the largest free-time exercise in the United States," said Jerry Stevenson, owner of J & J's Nursery and Garden Center.
A garden can satisfy your appetite and improve the beauty of your yard.
"Your home value is higher if you have a well-tended landscape," Stevenson said.
Family time is a major motivator for some to start digging.
Gardening — still the largest free-time exercise in the United States.
–Jerry Stevenson, owner, J & J's Nursery and Garden Center
"If you can get them out in the garden and get them working in the yard, one, they are together as a family but you're also teaching the aspect of work," said Andy Stevenson, J & J's greenhouse production manager.
Although getting your hands dirty can be a fun part of gardening, there are a lot of health benefits that go alongside it as well. You know that you are feeding yourself and your family good quality foods.
The Centers for Disease Control reported that a person can burn 150 calories by gardening for about 30 minutes. Taking it a step further — digging, raking, and hauling garden supplies can be a serious workout, burning an average of 300 calories.
In a 2011 study in the Journal of Health Psychology, researchers found that gardening was a more effective stress-buster than many other hobbies. The study also found gardening led to greater reductions in the stress hormone, cortisol.
It's also a great activity for kids. Playing in the mud and seeing their hard work grow right before their eyes can peak the youngster's interest in those leafy greens.
"We have more control over what kinds of pesticides we use, what kinds of exposure we have," said dietitian Theresa Dvorack.
Experts say the best time to start planting the bulk of your veggies is Mother's Day weekend.
