1. There are more microorganisms in one teaspoon of soil than there are people on Earth.
2. The world’s oldest living rose is believed to be 1,000 years old and grows on the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany.
3. Plants really do respond to sound. Talking to plants or playing music can enhance their growth due to the vibration in the sound waves.
4. Tomatoes are the most commonly grown vegetable in home gardens in the United States.
5. Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world. It can grow up to 35 inches in a single day.
6. The practice of bonsai tree cultivation originated in China over a thousand years ago before it was adopted by the Japanese.
7. NASA studies show that indoor plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins within 24 hours.
8. The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 2,624 pounds, according to the Guinness World Records.
9. Sunflowers are not just one flower. Each sunflower’s head is made of hundreds of tiny flowers called florets.
10. Gardening can boost mental health and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
11. Coffee grounds can enrich soil with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making them a great addition to compost.
12. The practice of growing plants without soil is known as hydroponics. It was used by the ancient Babylonians in the Hanging Gardens and by the Aztecs.
13. Worms improve garden soil by aerating it as they move through it and enriching it with their castings.
14. One tree can absorb as much carbon in a year as a car produces while driving 26,000 miles.
15. Marigolds repel garden pests naturally, which is why many gardeners plant them around their vegetable beds.
16. The tallest tree in the world is a coast redwood named Hyperion; it stands at 379.7 feet tall.
17. Strawberries have more vitamin C than oranges.
18. Gardening is considered moderate exercise; regular gardening can burn as many calories as gym exercises.
19. Saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, comes from the stigmas of the crocus flower.
20. In the 17th century, tulip bulbs were more valuable than gold in Holland, a phenomenon known as “Tulip Mania.”
21. Blue is a rare color in garden plants, making blue flowers like delphiniums highly sought after for their unique hue.
