In these strange times more than ever, we’re thinking of the therapeutic benefits that gardening can provide, as well as the health benefits and nutrition that growing our own food offers our communities. As we all practice social distancing for public health, we’re thrilled to see so many in our community also turning to gardening as a form of solace and empowerment. You’re not alone! 
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, allusions to the Victory Garden movement of decades past have reignited a collective desire for local food sovereignty in our communities:
- Food Supply Anxiety Brings Back Victory Gardens from the New York Times
- Emptier Grocery Shelves Help Cultivate A Growing Interest In Home Gardening from WHYY
Beyond the physical benefits of food security and self-sufficiency, our gardens also provide an array of emotional and mental benefits:
- Healthy fat hidden in dirt may fend of anxiety disorders from Neuroscience News
- There is growing evidence that gardening has the potential to improve our mental health from Reading Eagle
- Last year, GP staff members wrote personal perspectives on the intangible benefits that our gardens bring us as part of our “Living Our Values” series. From equity to food sovereignty, you can read them all on our blog.
Do you know of other resources illustrating gardening’s therapeutic benefits? Or maybe you have a story of your own? Let us know! Email us at info@growpittsburgh.org so we can share it with our community of growers and sow more of the gardening love. Happy growing!