Garden RELEAF weekend, which will be held on the weekend of March 7-8, 2015, will see Independent Garden Centres around Australia running fun and informative events to encourage people to get into the garden and get planting. As gardening is good for both physical and mental health, the weekend will also be raising funds to support beyondblue, so it will be a weekend themed around ‘something blue’.

The garden RELEAF event has both Johanna Griggs (Better Homes and Gardens and a member of the Board of beyondblue) and Jeff Kennett, AC (the Chairman of beyondblue) as supporters and ambassadors. They both believe in the importance of gardening for physical and mental well-being. For more information on the health benefits of gardening, take a look at these research results.

Many Independent Garden Centres across the country will be running Mini Gardener sessions, encouraging children to get into gardening by helping them plant their own flower or vegetable seedlings which they can then take home to grow. The only cost will be a gold coin donation to beyondblue. To find a garden centre near you, simply go to http://gardenreleaf.com.au/events/

The garden centres that are taking part will be gearing many of the activities towards a ‘something blue’ theme with blue decorations and balloons, displays of blue flowering plants, face painting, staff dressing up in blue wigs, treasure hunts, beyondblue decorated trees and more. Others will have cakes or muffins with blue icing, sausage sizzles, live music, gardening talks and there will even be an Australian wildlife ‘petting zoo’ at one and a pet fancy dress parade at another.

As an added bonus, Botanica World Discoveries have provided customers with a chance to enter a competition to win a $4,950 travel voucher. Entry details will be in-store at participating garden centres.

It’s not hard to find some gardening space in Australia. Whether you live in the inner city or the country, getting into the garden (or balcony or kitchen windowsill) and planting is something everyone should try to incorporate into their lifestyle.

Come along to the garden RELEAF weekend (7-8 March) with your friends and family to find out more and help raise funds for beyondblue.

For more information about the health benefits of gardening, or to find out more about the garden RELEAF weekend, go to www.gardenreleaf.com.au.