Does a rake-free yard make a person healthier? The study finds out whether an organically maintained yard increases the well-being of the city dweller

For example, asthma and allergies have increased due to urbanization and the decrease in biodiversity. Soil organisms and microbes are also good for humans.

Moving in the forest or nature is known to be good for both the mind and the body.

It is also known that as a result of urbanization and the reduction of biodiversity, many inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and allergies, have increased.

The Natural Resources Center is now investigating whether the health and well-being of city dwellers could be promoted by increasing the diversity of backyards.

Good results have been obtained from previous studies based on nature exposure. For example, the regulation of the kindergarten children’s immune system improved when forest-based vegetation was added to the playgrounds.

Inkeri Halla-aho, with a red cap, long hair and light hair, dressed in black clothes, is exploring a patch of meadow together with the green builder Veera Rauhala, who has dark hair and a ponytail. Both are crouched, bent over the vegetation. Halla-aho has a plant seed in her hand, towards which Rauhala reaches. A red yard fence in the background. — Inkeri Halla-aho (on the left) and Veera Rauhala examine a small square of meadow, which has been planted with, among other things, St.

The study, which includes various measurements and interviews, will last five years.

Residents of detached houses and townhouses participating in the study are encouraged to garden by adding useful plants. The recycling of nutrients in the yards is enhanced and leaf compost, rotting wood and planting boxes are brought to the yards.

The study also includes a comparison group that takes care of their yard with conventional methods and uses, for example, fertilizers in gardening.

Three cities and 42 subjects included

A total of 42 subjects from Helsinki, Kaarina and Lahti are participating in the study.

They have been instructed to take care of the yard using natural methods. For example, you can leave the leaves in the yard unraked. They fall to the ground and disappear during the spring to fertilize the soil.

– It increases the activity of soil organisms and microbes and is good for nature, the cycle of nutrients, and for humans, who are thereby exposed to a more diverse microbial community, says Marja Roslund.

He believes that many residents are relieved to know that the yard does not have to be tiptop. The goal is controlled neglect.

– You can heave a sigh of relief with single-family homes. Over-tending the yard can even be harmful.

Marja Roslund, a blond, long-haired researcher wearing glasses, dressed in jeans and a black jacket, is squatting by the plant bed and looking down. The plant boxes have red velvet flowers and lettuces. In the background, a red building and next to it, a graying corner of a compost box. — According to researcher Marja Roslund, you should put composted organic soil in the cultivation boxes, which is more favorable for microbiota than peat-based soil.

Space for plants, less lawn

– The yard was mostly just grass. It’s not very good for nature, he thinks.

Among other things, meadow vegetation, fruit trees and bushes, and growing boxes for useful plants have been brought to Halla-aho’s yard.

A green builder who works as a partner in yard research says that many people want a large grass field in their yard without realizing that it is laborious to take care of.

On the other hand, people may also have misconceptions about, for example, the care of a flower meadow.

– The meadow will become vesic quickly if the tree seedlings are not removed. Similarly, it is good to mow once or twice in the summer. So yes, the meadow also needs maintenance, Rauhala states.