For as long as I can remember I have always had a garden.  Even when I lived in an apartment with no yard I made window boxes and planted flowers.  Many people have made statements to me about how much hard work it is to maintain a garden.  It

is but it also has many benefits.  I have flower gardens as well as a large vegetable garden.  I won't get into what to grow or how to grow it because that varies greatly from one region to the next.  This article is just my list of how gardening benefits the whole family.

Saving Money

• When you have a vegetable garden it is like having a grocery store in your back yard.  In the summer my grocery bill is much lower.  I make many meals where the veggies are my main ingredient.  We are not vegetarians so I toss in a bit of chicken, shrimp, etc and there is a cheap meal.
• Fresh flowers are pretty expensive.  I have saved a lot of money with the flowers from my garden.  In fact, when I got married I did not have to pay for flowers because I made my own arrangements.  If you know someone that is getting married (as long as they are not set of something particular) you can offer them some fresh flower arrangements instead of a gift.  A single arrangement of flowers can cost the bride and groom hundreds of dollars.  So even if you can not do the flowers for the entire wedding and arrangement or two may be greatly appreciated by some brides.  Fresh flowers are also a nice gesture as a hostess gift.
• You can sell your extra flowers and veggies.  Yes, there are zoning regulations and tax things to worry about.  It all depends on your area.  Around here no one complains about someone placing a self serve veggie or flower stand at the end of their driveway.

Stress Relief

• There is something about weeding a garden that is very calming.  The fresh air and the repetitive motion always sooth me when I am maxed out.  It is also nice n those days to look at the garden and know that even though the house is a complete disaster and you have nothing planned for dinner that at least you have accomplished something in the garden.
• While the children are outside playing or helping in the garden they are burning of some energy.  That means that there is the potential that they will be quieter that evening or perhaps may even go to bed early.

Community Outreach

• Quite often I will have more vegetables then I can use.  It is wonderful to go around to my neighborhood to see who could use some extra veggies.  I always start at the homes of the elderly or large families and go from there.  A great lesson for children.
• When someone is going to a rough time it is nice to leave them a bouquet of flowers. 
• I have a large flower garden in my front yard.  Many times when I am out there people stop to talk about the flowers.  They ask what type they are, how to care for them, etc.  It is a great way to meet people.

Health Benefits

• By growing your own garden you know where your food comes from.  No worries about the use of strange chemicals.
• Having more vegetables will encourage you to eat healthier meals. 
• The exercise that you and your children will get is great.  Pulling weeds, digging holes and pushing around a wheelbarrow are great ways to burn calories.

Self Esteem

• It means a lot to my children when they can help in the garden.  Young children love to be "helpful". 
• Older children can enter their flowers and vegetables in local fairs.  They will have a chance to win ribbons or even cash prizes. 
• Watching a garden successfully grow brings a lot of pride to both children and parents.  It is hard work but it pays off in the end.