Gardening is considered a universal hobby which serves multiple purposes — from creating a decorative and perfumed environment to help maintain physical and mental health.

Because of their increased importance a trend has developed worldwide to establish ‘Botanical Gardens’, and thus preserve the flora and retain the bio-diversity of different regions. New York Botanical Gardens (USA), Royal Botanical Gardens (UK) and Lucknow Botanical Gardens (India) are a few examples. The Pakistan Horticultural Society is seriously considering establishing the Pakistan Botanical Gardens. The various Horticultural Societies in the world, including that of Pakistan, publish journals on gardening and encourage as well as help their members in their gardening ventures and give suggestions to solve their problems. To inculcate interest in the public they also hold flower shows like the Chelsea Flower Show held every year near London.

Gardening suits the majority of human temperaments. Besides a number of other diseases, depression, hypertension and diabetes are common in Pakistan. To control such diseases physicians recommend light physical exercise which could be suitably replaced by gardening. Gardening provides an alternative to physical exercise, which can be indulged in depending on one’s mood and convenience.

High levels of carbon dioxide in the air, which is produced due to burning of organic fuel in motor vehicles as well as in industry and burning of solid waste in open places, is harmful for human health. Fortunately carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants and trees, thus reducing pollution and making the air cleaner for breathing. People spending time in the company of plants are benefited as they get a chance to breathe in cleaner air.

Most aspects of gardening such as preparation of soil, sowing of seeds, transplantation of seedlings, frequent watering and occasional trimming of dried and infested branches of the plants is essential to maintain the beauty of the garden and so keeps one busy. In case you have established a kitchen garden in the backyard it would provide physical exercise as well as the benefit of enjoying more hygienically grown, nutritive and tasty vegetables which are economical and save you the hassle of running to the market.

Besides being a substitute for physical exercise, gardening also takes care of the mental health by providing diversion and distraction from the stresses of day to day life. To be, and to work, with nature always gives peace of mind and a soothing effect.

To watch the activities of different garden visitors like birds squirrels, bees and butterflies makes things more fascinating.

You can closely observe the flowering process and enjoy the activities of different insects taking part in the vital process of pollination, moving from flower to flower. Pollination is one of the most important processes which leads to the growth of all the fruits we eat.

The big buildings and houses usually have some space available along the boundary wall. This is valuable because a number of useful and decorative trees could easily be grown along the boundary. They not only provide beauty but also a protection from dust, especially during windy seasons. One can consult any of the books available on the subject or contact some plant nursery for help in the selection of boundary plants. Some of the plants recommended for this purpose include: Delonix regia, dalbergia sisso, Plantanus orientalis, Heterophragma adinophyllum, Putranjiva robugrghii, Stercularia diversifolia and suitable varieties of palms. The same plants are also suitable for road-side plantation to provide shade and beauty.

To sum-up this article, gardening provides a healthy diversion and adds colours and fragrance to one’s life. It fights pollution and improves the environment for human existence. Over and above, it is considered the most useful hobby to maintain physical and mental health.