“A regular dose of gardening can improve public health” (Soga et al, 2016). One such paper identifies the “gardening effect” as a health, nutritional and social environmental boost — finding positive correspondence to physical health, physical activity, diet, food knowledge, self-esteem, independence, personal control, social connections, relationships of further community, and neighbourhoods.
Soga, M., Gaston, K. J., & Yamaura, Y. (2016). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive medicine reports, 5, 92–99.