GARDENING helped to reduce loneliness whilst the country was gripped by strict Covid-19 lockdown measures, according to new research.

A study, which was conducted from 2019 until 2022 by the University of Essex, found that whilst mental wellbeing plummeted nationally, horticulture schemes helped to maintain the mental health of people who could garden in their spare time.

Participants in the study reported that their life satisfaction and mental wellbeing increased by nine per cent whilst they sowed, planted and tended to vegetables and flowers.

Because the study began before coronavirus spread all over the world, it meant the study could track how gardening helped people cope with the imposed lockdowns, which saw millions put on furlough and vastly reduce their social interaction.

It has increased calls from Dr Carly Wood, from the school of sport, rehabilitation, and exercise sciences, to improve investment and research into therapeutic gardening.

She said: “The pandemic drew this clearly into focus and showed that even as we coped with unprecedented disruption and upheaval community gardening has the power to help some of society’s most vulnerable people. 

“I’m hoping this study will show the power of therapeutic community gardening and inspire more research into its benefits.”