Commissioner Miller Celebrates National Garden Month, Encourages Texans to Grow Local

National Garden Month highlights the value and rewards of gardening for individuals and communities

AUSTIN -Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is welcoming National Garden Month in April by encouraging Texans to plant gardens, support local agriculture, and reconnect with the land. Gardening remains a time-honored Texas tradition that strengthens families, communities, and the state's agricultural roots.

"Gardening is part of who we are as Texans," Commissioner Miller said. "It teaches hard work, responsibility, and the value of growing your own food. Whether it's a backyard garden, a few pots on a porch, or a community plot, every Texan can take pride in putting something in the ground and watching it grow."

Established in 1986 by the National Garden Bureau, National Garden Month was created to promote gardening education and encourage Americans to experience the benefits of growing plants, flowers, and food. Over the years, the observance has expanded to include schools, community gardens, and local food initiatives that connect people more closely to the sources of their food.

That connection has grown stronger in recent years. Interest in gardening surged during the Covid pandemic and remains strong today, with the boom in horticultural sales during lockdown giving way to steady and consistent growth that helps the state economy thrive. According to Texas AgriLife experts, Texas green industry sales topped $39 billion in 2025, a 4.5% increase from the previous year, as Texans continue to invest in their outdoor spaces and experience the positive effects of time spent in nature.

Gardening offers a wide range of physical and mental health benefits. Time spent tending a garden provides exercise, improves mobility, and encourages time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. Exposure to soil can even improve the gut and skin microbiomes.

Just as importantly, gardening has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and sharpen focus, offering a simple but powerful way for Texans to support their overall well-being.

For children and teens, time in the garden can be deeply meaningful. Gardening fosters patience and curiosity, while helping young Texans better understand where their food comes from. It also provides a healthy, screen-free activity that supports emotional balance and strengthens family connections through shared work and accomplishment.

"Even a small garden can teach big lessons. When kids learn to grow their own food, they gain skills and values that will serve them for a lifetime," Commissioner Miller said. "Gardening builds stronger families and stronger communities across our state."

Commissioner Miller encourages Texans to take part in National Garden Month by starting a garden of their own, visiting local nurseries and farmers markets, and supporting Texas-grown products. "Not all Texans can be farmers," he said, "but every Texan can enjoy the rewards of what our land provides."

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