Gardening in an allotment can improve mood and self-esteem, according to research by two universities.
The study, by Westminster and Essex universities, questioned 269 people - around half of whom did some gardening.
The results revealed that those who spent as little as 30 minutes a week in their allotments saw significant gains in mental well-being, according to the Journal of Public Health.
The research also showed the allotment gardeners had fewer weight problems.
The participants were questioned about their mood, self-esteem and general health.
Those who had worked in their allotments at least once a week had lower levels of fatigue, depression, tension and anger - and had higher self-esteem and better general health - than those who had done no gardening at all.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34666231