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“Being a Conscientious Gardener."

Here's a talk I wish I could attend:

Dr. Sarah Reichard will speak on
“Being a Conscientious Gardener." Dr. Sarah Reichard is a UW professor and
Director of UW Botanic Gardens. Dr. Reichard's field of interest is
restoration ecology and environmental horticulture. Her research has
focused on biological invasion by non-native invasive species and on rare
plant species. She will talk about her new book, The Conscientious
Gardener.

and this part, quoted in
http://integraljournal.typepad.com/excerpts/2011/05/the-conscientious-gardner-by-sarah-hayden-reichard.html

The soil biota may affect human health. A 2007 study by Christopher Lowry and Graham Rook suggests a reason why gardening feels so good: a bacterium naturally found in the soil, Mycobacterium vaccae, stimulates the human immune system to release serotonin. This hormone is used in anti-depressants to increase feeling of well-being. Some scientists even believe that our ever-increasing desire for cleanliness and our distance from farming activities are leading to health problems such as asthma and allergies. Perhaps doctors someday will prescribe gardening for a healthy life. [p.10]

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