Gardening is a fun and fulfilling hobby, and this spring is the perfect time for you to pick up a shovel and try it out for yourself. There’s a lot you can get out of it in return.

One of the best things about gardening is that just about anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a large backyard or a balcony that’s only big enough for a quaint little herb garden – either way, you can reap all of the benefits that come with getting a little dirt underneath your fingernails.

The top reasons why you should consider getting into gardening are:

1) To get a little closer to nature
It’s not all the time that you can go fishing or go on a hike in the remote wilderness, but gardening is something that you can do every day to get some fresh air and spend time outside. Put your efforts towards growing a few plants that you enjoy looking at and that release a nice aroma. You’ll be able to feel closer to nature without having to leave your own property.

2) To grow your own food
Gardening gives you control of at least some of the food that ends up on your plate. You can grow your food exactly how you prefer, using the exact types of soils and fertilizers you feel are safe and healthy to use. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides.

While even a substantial backyard garden likely won’t be able to save you trips to the grocery store, it certainly can remove a nice chunk from your regular grocery bill. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs are also tastier than what you’d likely be able to find at the store.

3) To challenge yourself
The most enjoyable challenges are the kinds that you know you can overcome if you just apply yourself and put in some effort. These are exactly the sort of challenges that gardening presents. For example, you’ll have to do some research about the plants you want to grow and about how to solve bug infestations and nutrient deficiencies. Figure it all out, and you’ll feel a great sense of pride in your accomplishments.

4) To relax
Yes, you did just finish reading about the fact that gardening can be challenging, but you should also know that, once you get the hang of it, it can also be incredibly relaxing. Get all of the basic gardening skills down and you’ll be able to kick back and watch your plants grow. Some days your garden might not need anything else but to be watered, which can be a surprisingly meditative task. In fact, you might begin to look forward to the peace and silence of tending your garden after a long day.

So, what are you waiting for? If you find out that gardening is not for you, then at least you have tried something new. Plus, it’s far more likely that you’ll find at least some aspect of gardening to love and to keep doing for years to come.