Mid-Valley Seniors Community Garden
The MidValley Seniors Community Garden is being done in cooperation with the MidValley Senior Center, Houston Homesteaders Association, Houston Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations. The garden site is roughly 1.5 acres and is located directly across the street from the MidValley Senior Center. The purpose of the project is to develop the land for the seniors and others. It will provide exposure to green space, healthful outdoor activity, and a source of fresh local produce and flowers.
Benefits of Community Gardens
Improved Physical Health
- Has been connected to reduced risks of obesity, coronary heart disease, glycemic control, diabetes, and reduction of injuries.
- Is a preferred form of exercise for all ages, genders and ethnicity.
- Increases muscle strength, endurance and flexibility among the elderly and those generally sedentary.
- Triggers both illness prevention and healing responses.
Improved Menatl and Emotional Heatlh
- Improves social skills through exercise and interaction in convivial company.
- Improves the use of leisure time through increased physical activity. Even a stroll among the flowers is preferable to sedentary pursuits.
- Improves self-esteem through the practical exercise of growing and harvesting of vegetables, fruits and flowers.
- Plant-human relationships have proven to induce relaxation, reduce stress, fear and anger, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
- Increase the sense of belonging, connection and identity in the community.
- Increases social engagement often improves attention to personal hygiene, health care, and wellness.
Healthy Choices
- Eating out is a major health issue that results in overeating and unhealthy food choices. Eating out is recognized as a major factor in the current obesity crisis. Gardeners who produce and prepare their own foods eat out less.
- Practical experience with foods gained through cultivation, harvesting, and preparation increases nutritional sophistication and selection. Community gardeners choose a better diet than non-gardeners.
- Properly selected and managed community gardens will contain few, if any, environmental contaminants, chemical fertilizers, and residual pesticides.
A Good Investment
- A community garden plot typically yields more than $6 worth of fresh, locally grown, often organic vegetables, for every $1 invested.
- Gardeners save money and grow highly nutritious, locally adapted or cultural favorites that might not otherwise be available or affordable.
- Typically, 80% of the cost of community gardens is labor (exercise).
