Are you literally counting down the days until you can get out and into the garden or allotment again, or do you keep gardening through the shorter days of winter?

Small gardening tasks in winter make a big difference to our mood and sense of wellness, forcing us outside to move and capture some of the daylight. Almost seven in ten people would recommend gardening as a great way to switch off, a recent study suggests, with 46% believing that if they did not do any gardening at all, their mental health would struggle.

In a survey conducted by Miracle-Gro via OnePoll, planting out, watering plants, and mowing the lawn are considered to be the most satisfying gardening jobs according to the 1,645 survey participants. As we are right on the cusp of spring, and ready to benefit from increased daylight hours, think about which jobs in the garden bring you most joy.

Deadheading roses, growing and picking homegrown produce, and seeing birds feed in the garden all made the list of outdoor jobs that make us feel content. More than seven in ten, though, said gardening tasks like mowing the lawn or weeding are satisfying and frustrating in equal measure.

Whichever tasks get you outside and into the garden or allotment, rest assured that you are supporting your physical and mental wellbeing, and doing good for yourself and the planet, so don’t forget to pause for a minute, and admire your good work.

The Top 20 Most Satisfying Gardening Tasks*

1. Planting bulbs and plants.

2. Watering all your plants.

3. Mowing the lawn.

4. Weeding.

5. Pruning around the garden.

6. Seeing birds use your feeders/birdbaths.

7. Deadheading flowers.

8. Finally getting out the last weed.

9. Growing and picking homegrown produce.

10. Repotting plants.

11. Sowing seeds.

12. Feeding your plants.

13. Deadheading roses.

14. Raking up fallen leaves.

15. Putting fresh seeds in a bird feeder.

16. Jet washing the patio.

17. Painting a fence.

18. Trimming a hedge perfectly.

19. Sweeping your patio/decking.

20. Filling up the birdbath with fresh water.

* survey conducted by Miracle-Gro