Aanoalii Rowena Fuluifaga on the wellbeing benefits of watching green shoots grow

Research suggests that focusing on the details of gardening can reduce negative feelings and makes you feel better in the moment. Being productive in the garden and observing plant growth can also increase serotonin levels in the brain, helping you to feel happier throughout the day.

Aanoalii Rowena Fuluifaga, Learning and Achievement Manager, Student Support started growing vegetable seedlings in lockdown after a cousin dropped off a bag of seeds. She agrees there are many benefits to be had with even the simplest gardening project.

“I did it for my own wellbeing mostly. Being stuck on 600 square meters of land takes some getting used to. I also want to add something fresh to our meals. I have three people in my family bubble who are over 6 foot and they eat a huge amount of food!

“I’m a beginner gardener – I’d grown veggies once before, only for one season. One time my work colleagues gave me a plastic plant because I’m really good at killing plants. My garden was a bit of a plant cemetery with lots of pots of dead herbs.

“We have a pretty typical backyard, but it’s amazing what you can do. I cleared out the pots, on Father’s Day my husband used some leftover building materials to also make a planter box. We’d switched out a large office desk in the house for a smaller one, and we repurposed the desk draws to make more planters.

“I check my seedlings mornings and evenings and give progress updates to my colleagues and whanau. I’m looking forward to transplanting out my seedlings. It’s really satisfying to see the new growth each day and enjoy the hope that it brings.”