Harness nature's healing powers in your garden

Green life equals long life

Those of us lucky enough to have our own gardens can easily enjoy the health benefits of close contact with nature, but not everyone is so fortunate. With urban overcrowding and high-rise living on the increase, we need to build accessible nature into the wider landscape.

Our parks and open spaces, school playgrounds, hospital grounds, shopping centres and industrial estates all need to make more space for nature. An apple a day is great, but a regular dose of birdsong and a breath of fresh air are even better.

Chris Baines is an independent environmentalist, Vice President of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, and President of the Association for Environment-Conscious Building.

5 ways to garden health

1. Grow annual flowers from seed. Bringing new plants to life can be extremely therapeutic, and the resulting blooms will encourage a range of beneficial insects.
2. Put up a nest box to encourage a family of bluetits.
3. Reinforce the difference between seasons by planting spring wildflowers and shrubs with autumn berries.
4. Create a pond and make an alternative wildlife habitat. What's more, water is renowned for its calming effect.
5. Encourage birds to your garden and then share your success through national surveys such as the annual Big Garden Birdwatch organised by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (01767 680 551, www.rspb.org. uk/birdwatch). Chatting about garden birdlife is also a great way of breaking the ice with your neighbours.