How to Start and Maintain a Garden: A Wellness Boosting Guide for Ohio Residents

As winter fades and Ohio weather starts to warm, many of us look forward to spending more time outdoors. Gardening is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to get outside, stay active and support your overall well‑being. Whether you’re planting vegetables, herbs or flowers, gardening offers gentle physical activity, stress relief and the satisfaction of watching something you’ve nurtured grow.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a garden this year, here’s a simple guide to help you begin. We have tips to keep you and your plants healthy as you make gardening a part of your routine to improve well-being all year long.

Why Gardening Is Good for Your Health

• Boosts mood and reduces stress
  Gardening encourages mindfulness and helps lower cortisol levels.
• Encourages physical activity
  Digging, lifting, squatting and walking around your garden all count toward daily physical activity.
• Supports healthy eating
  Growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs makes it easier to enjoy nutritious foods.
• Exposure to fresh air and sunlight
  Increases vitamin D levels and overall mental well‑being, especially after months inside.

Gardening is a great seasonal activity that aligns perfectly with many personal well-being goals.

Getting Started: Beginner-Friendly Tips

1. Pick the Right Location

Look for a sunny spot as most plants need at least six hours of sunlight.

2. Prepare Your Soil

Ohio soil can be clay-heavy. Mix in compost or topsoil to improve drainage and nutrients.

3. Learn the Art of Proper Watering

Overwatering and root rot are common pitfalls of gardening. Some signs of overwatering or root rot are yellow/wilting leaves, mushy stems, constantly damp soil or an unpleasant odor from the soil. Only water when the top one to two inches of soil is dry. If container gardening, make sure the containers have proper drainage to avoid trapping the water. If you spot these symptoms, cut back on water and improve drainage.

What to Plant in Each Season (Ohio-Friendly Options)

Spring (April–May)

Cold-hardy crops and early flowers thrive, giving you a wonderful excuse to get outside as the sun starts making regular appearances.

Plant:

• Spinach, lettuce, kale
• Peas, carrots, broccoli
• Pansies, snapdragons
• Perennials like hostas and coneflowers

Summer (June–August)

Warm-season vegetables take center stage. These are ideal for healthy meal additions. Being outdoors in the summer also provides a healthy dose of Vitamin D, but don’t forget to apply sunscreen!

Try:

• Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini
• Cucumbers, green beans
• Basil, rosemary, thyme
• Sunflowers, zinnias and marigolds - to keep unwanted bugs away from your plants

Fall (September–October)

Cooler temperatures bring another opportunity to plant hardy greens and perennials that will bloom every year.

Good options:

• Brussel sprouts, carrots and kale
• Garlic (plant now, harvest next summer)
• Mums
• Catmint (nepeta) and Lamb’s Ear (stachys byzantine)

How to Maintain Your Garden Through Winter

Ohio winters can be tough, but with a little preparation, your garden can bounce back strong next spring.

Try the following:

• Mulch garden beds to protect roots from freezing
• Use frost cloths or burlap wraps for fragile plants
• Move herbs indoors and enjoy fresh ingredients year-round
• Plan next year’s garden, clean tools and organize supplies

This slower season still supports well‑being and winter gardening encourages gentle movement, planning and creativity.

Perennials: Plants That Grow Back Every Year

Perennials are a low‑maintenance way to bring beauty to your outdoor space with less annual work.

Ohio-friendly perennials that pollinators will love:

• Coneflowers
• Black-Eyed Susans
• Bee Balm
• Daylilies
• Sedum
• Hostas
• Mint, oregano, thyme (herb perennials)

These are great long-term investments for both your landscape and your well-being.

Gardening is More Than a Hobby

Gardening is an opportunity to step outside, move your body, breathe fresh air and enjoy the mental refresh that comes from caring for nature. As the days get longer and warmer, it’s the perfect time to start a garden and build healthier habits that last all year long.

Whether you’re planting your first tomato or creating a colorful flowerbed, your garden can be a simple and enjoyable way to support your overall well-being.

As you work to water and care for the garden you planted, SummaCare is here to ensure your health plan is working just as hard to provide the right care and services to help you thrive. Visit summacare.com to learn more.