It’s no coincidence that gardens have been popping up in hospitals, nursing homes and schools all over the country.It’s not just a nice view we’re getting from our gardens. It’s deeper than that. You may recall the story of the two groups of patients recovering from surgery: one group overlooking a garden, the other had only a brick wall to gaze upon. Well, what do you know - the patients with a tree view out the window had a significantly shorter stay in hospital.This anecdote was supported by the findings of a study done by Texas University where patients with a tree view out the window had a significantly shorter recovery time.Mycobacterium vaccae, a harmless bacteria usually found in dirt, has been found to stimulate the immune system of mice. It also boosts levels of serotonin, which keeps your mood on an even keel. So contact with soil in the garden makes you happy. What better reason do we need to get those hands dirty?Gardening requires you to think, learn and be creative. Not only has this shown to prevent dementia in seniors, but also to help with depression and other mental illnesses. Perhaps it’s because of the combination of physical activity, awareness of natural surroundings, cognitive stimulation and the satisfaction of a job well done.Whatever it is, I’m glad I’m a gardener!This is an excerpt from the full post on the Garden Clinic about the 6 ways gardening improves your life by Linda Ross. Linda Ross is a Sydney-based landscape architect and horticulturist, who has never worked a day in a landscape architecture studio in her life! Instead she crashed headlong into her family’s love of all things vaguely horticultural. She is the doyenne of gardening communications; enjoying broadcasting radio, making magazines and the social side for both Garden Clinic and Ross Tours. She regularly visits the world’s gardens, garden festivals and flower shows. She is a proud show garden judge at the Australian Garden Show Sydney and has written a number of books; her favourite being Frangipani.Loyal kombi-driver and devoted mother of two sweet natured souls, she loves working with smiley-happy-people. She lives beside the sea with her soul mate, two kids, kombi, community tennis court and garden. She eats too fast, hates when her ginger nut biscuit mudslides into her cuppa, and is allergic to cleaning the house preferring to grow the families vegetables instead. She describes her garden as Port Douglas meets Singapore Sling.Saturday night tipple: Whatever's open!Keep in touch with Linda:Instagram @linda_kirin_ross @gardenclinicclubFacebook: Linda Ross, The Garden ClinicPhotography by the talented @Luisabrimble