As the temperatures take a deep dive, I’m starting to miss gardening already. All the garden beds around here in southwestern Ontario are tucked up under a blanket of leaves, tender shrubs wrapped in a protective layer of burlap. Winter has its own special qualities, of course, but autumn? I’m already missing the deliciousness of messing about with dirt and flowers and pruners and packets of seeds and pots and trowels. Gardening is just wonderful for the heart and soul. It’s also good for your head, of course. But I just learned that it can also be good for your brain quite literally. 

Shot in my garden in Oakville, Ontario, twelve years ago.

In a 2019 study, entitled Benefits of Gardening Activities for Cognitive Function According to Measurement of Brain Nerve Growth Factor Levels, no less, researchers set about determining “the effects of gardening activities in senior individuals on brain nerve growth factors related to cognitive function.” The research discovered that enjoying a gardening activity of low-to-moderate intensity for as little as 20 minutes “significantly increased” levels of the brain nerve growth factors BDNF and PDGF, which are related to memory.

Ok, so what’s BDNF and PDGF?

BDNF supports neural survival, growth and synaptic plasticity, and is highly concentrated in the hippocampus and cortex. PDGF has been shown to promote blood vessel growth and neuronal survival.

Not sure what all this “survival” business is about but it sounds like a good thing to me.

Translation, please!

“The increase of this key protein, BDNF, by gardening activity intervention can promote memory by increasing cell proliferation and growth, as well as neuronal development and functioning.”

As it turns out, you can make real, positive improvement to your memory, even for seniors like me, when you garden. Wowza.

Shot during a garden tour in north Toronto, July, 2015.

We’ve all read about the benefits of being out and about in nature. I love the concept of forest bathing, in particular. Every year, it seems, more evidence surfaces to prove what most gardeners have always sensed. A study done during the pandemic in Singapore, provided evidence that gardening may increase mental resilience, as well. One to four hours of gardening fosters “emotional regulation”, “relationship”, “confidence”, “positive thinking” and “spirituality”.

Now it looks like our actual memory-keeping is improved by gardening, too.

Although so far it hasn’t helped me remember where I left my good pair of gardening gloves.