UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties

It's a fact. Gardening is great exercise with big benefits for both physical and mental health. It's also hard work and many of the tasks we do in the garden can lead to aches and injuries if not done properly.

It's May and spring is busting out all over! After months of gray skies and wet, chilly days, we can rejoice at the sight of each tender shoot, leaf and bud. With the resurgence of life all around us, it may seem as if the state of the natural world may not be so bad after all.

My garden is cursed! All I have is shade and nothing will grow, wailed the neighbor. Living as we do in Sunny California, it may seem downright unfair but almost every garden has some shady spots, and they are often the most troublesome to deal with.

Gardening with your kids might be one of the best things you can do for them. Not only is it a great way to spend quality time together, it can also make a big difference in their physical, mental and emotional health.

Growing your own plants from seed has a lot of advantages: more variety, less cost and getting a head start on the growing season are just a few. Practicality aside, it's just plain miraculous to grow plants from seeds.