Cultivating Community: Exploring the Beauty of Public Gardens
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, Rockford, IL
Public gardens ensure everyone can get on nature’s good side. Did you know Rain Bird® helped inspire National Public Gardens Day™? We’re delighted to play a role in helping people enjoy the natural world.
Rain Bird worked with the American Public Gardens Association to raise awareness of gardening and water conservation initiatives. In 2010, Congress officially recognized the holiday on the U.S. Senate floor and began a new era of public garden appreciation.
National Public Gardens Day is celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother’s Day. It is an opportunity to visit a public garden or participate in improving the gardens in your community. This year, it’s May 10.
What Is a Public Garden?
Just as the name implies, public gardens are open to everyone and welcome curious people to view flowers, trees, and plants they may have never seen before. These gardens contribute to more appreciation, research, and conservation of our world’s most fascinating flora.
The American Public Gardens Association has more than 600 member gardens and organizations participating in the Go Public Gardens program. Its goal is to help people feel free to get outside and visit a public garden.
The USDA Forest Service is also a partner in the program. With more than 191 million acres of National Forest Lands across the U.S., it’s easy to find a place to spend some time out in the natural environment.
Now’s the perfect time to plan a nature adventure. Have you seen all of the public gardens in your area? Why not visit one during your next vacation? Stop by a garden that’s new to you and your family or revisit a memorable spot that holds a special place in your heart.
Exploring Nature and Enjoying the Holiday
National Public Gardens Day is more than just a one-day celebration. It’s a state of mind and a year-round tribute to nature’s beauty.
Nature walks are good for your mind, body, and soul. They bring benefits, including improved mental health, stress reduction, and stronger social bonds. Public spaces help people relish nature together.
The National Parks Service reports that a 30-minute nature stroll can contribute to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, more balanced blood glucose, and better heart health. Over time, you could see benefits like a stronger immune system, lower body-wide inflammation, and reduced anxiety and depression.
Perhaps that’s why forest bathing has become so popular as a form of ecotherapy. When you take a forest bath, you meander slowly through the woods and take time to absorb the natural world around you. Every blossom and frond inspires a newfound sense of inner contentment.
Water Conservation Deserves Celebration
Plants can’t thrive without water and public gardens can’t thrive without water conservation. Rain Bird supports sensible irrigation through The Intelligent Use of Water™ initiative, which views water as a valuable resource to be used wisely. You’ll see our products in the WaterSense program, which reduces energy and water consumption by 20% or more.
To further advance the mission, Rain Bird provides an array of water-conserving equipment to local public gardens. Innovative equipment helps public gardens save water, save money, and continue providing a public service to the community. Plus, the effort spreads greater awareness that gardens are flourishing with smart watering.
Many of the same watering strategies you’ll see at public gardens can be used right in your own home garden. There’s no need to spend too much time or effort watering your yard.
For example, the Gardener’s Drip Kit is a fast and simple way to use drip irrigation to water your plants. It comes with adjustable bubblers and water sprays to provide just the right nourishment for flower beds and decorative shrubs.
High-tech water monitors and automatic timers, like the new ARC and TRU series smart controllers, are managed on your smartphone. This makes it convenient to save water without worrying about timing or weather forecasts. New technology tracks your local forecast and automatically adjusts your irrigation schedule to suit your yard. To learn more about home watering conservation, take a look at our water-saving tips.
Where to Visit Public Lands and Gardens
Some of our favorite public gardens include the Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona, which combine desert beauty with excellent water conservation. Another favorite is The Arboretum in California where a 127-acre botanical garden shares space with Rancho Santa Anita’s historic site.
If you can’t make it to a public garden in person this year, embark on the U.S. Botanic Gardens virtual tour. You can also explore a deep woodland in the U.S. Forest Service’s Black Hills Experimental Forest Tour. Virtual tours bring the excitement of nature right into your living room.
How will you celebrate National Public Gardens Day this year? Whether you enjoy it at home or in a public garden, we’ll be right there celebrating with you.
