FIND NEW GROWTH ON Garden Releaf Day

The fifth annual national Garden Releaf Day (GRD) is on March 24, encouraging people to come together to embrace the health and wellness benefits of plants, gardens and gardening.

GRD – a Garden Centres Association of Australia initiative – sees independent garden centres across Australia come
together for an array of gardening activities on March 24.

Wallington’s Van Loons Nursery Manager Sarah Walton said they’ve been celebrating GRD since 2015, and as a company understood the importance of mental health.

“We’ve been doing it for years now. As a company, we think mental health is very important, all the staff get behind it and wear blue wigs on the day and across the weekend,” Ms Walton said.

“This year we’ll be promoting blueberries and salvias. The salvias will have an expert in store to talk to our customers and the blueberries will be a feature – In line with Beyond Blue.

“The weekend for us is really about spreading the word about how gardening and plants are good for mental health. A lot of people come in and share their stories: once you’re wearing the blue wig they can tell you’re committed to the cause.”

Ms Walton said Van Loons has always prided itself on being a place where people who are lonely or feeling down can come and immerse themselves in their surroundings.

“Van Loons is happy, and active, and alive. A visit is good for the mind and the soul. We’re always encouraging people, whether you’re an expert or novice gardener to come in and chat with one of our knowledgeable and friendly staff.”

Recent research from the University of Queensland revealed people getting a minimum dose of 30 green minutes a week (in one session) are more likely to have healthy emotional, physical and mental wellbeing than those who don’t.

For more information and for a full list of participating garden centres, go to facebook/gardenreleafaustralia.