How to Plant Seeds
Many people think that having a garden means you need lots of space and free time. However, that is not true. Growing a few plants in your home or on a window sill1 still counts as gardening. There are many reasons why gardening is a good hobby to develop. Plants add color to any room and keep the air fresh. Plus, if you keep some flowering2 plants outside your windows, they may even attract lovely butterflies. You can also try growing vegetables and herbs3. They will provide food and flavor for cooking. Dried herbs and flowers also make great decorations.
There are other benefits to gardening as well. One is that it makes people more relaxed. Studies have shown that people who do gardening feel calmer in their lives. This is because gardening helps them release stress. Another benefit of gardening is that it improves health. Gardening keeps you active and provides fresh food. Both of these are essential for a healthy lifestyle. Gardeners also feel a stronger connection to nature. This is important, especially with all of the environmental problems we are trying to deal with these days.
If you are looking for a hobby, give gardening a try. You will discover the fun of getting your hands dirty and the satisfaction that comes with growing something. Besides, nothing tastes better than a vegetable you have grown in your own garden.
許多人認為擁有一座花園就意謂著您得要有偌大空間及很多閒暇時間。然而事實並非如此。在您家中或窗台上種植一些植物依然算是園藝。園藝之所以是一項值得養成的嗜好，這當中有眾多原因。植物能夠為任何房間增添色彩，並維持空氣清淨。此外，如果您在窗外種植一些開花植物，它們甚至能吸引豔麗的蝴蝶。您也能嘗試種植蔬菜或香草。它們能夠提供烹飪所用的食材和調味料。乾燥的香草和花朵作為裝飾品也相當合適。
園藝還有其它的益處。其一就是能讓人感到舒緩。研究顯示園藝者在生活中會感到較為平靜。這是因為園藝能幫助他們釋放壓力。另一項園藝的好處就是它能增進健康。園藝除了能讓您全身動起來，還能提供新鮮的食材。這兩點對於健康的生活形態都是不可或缺的。喜歡園藝的人和大自然的關係也較為緊密。這點十分重要，尤其是在我們近來正設法解決各種自然環境問題的此刻。
如果您正在尋找嗜好，不妨試試園藝。您將會發現弄髒雙手的樂趣以及栽種花草所帶來的滿足感。此外，沒有其它食物會比您在自家花園所種植的蔬菜更美味了。
《Building Your Vocabulary》
1. benefit n. 好處，益處
Convenience is a benefit of living in cities.
住在城市裡的一項好處就是方便。
2. relaxed a. 輕鬆的；舒適的
Janet felt more relaxed after taking a bath.
珍娜在泡澡後感到輕鬆多了。
3. release vt. 釋放，發洩
Bob released his anger by going running.
鮑伯藉由跑步來宣洩他的怒氣。
4. essential a. 絕對重要的；不能缺少的
Strong boots are essential for a long hike.
耐穿的靴子對於長途健行是不可或缺的。
5. environmental a. 自然環境的
A lot of environmental concerns have been raised about nuclear power plants.
核能發電廠的興建引發了許多有關自然環境的擔憂。
6. satisfaction n. 滿足，滿意
Bill got satisfaction from being a volunteer.
當志工讓比爾感到很滿足。
《Phrases for Learning》
1. count (+ 人∕物 +) as... （把某人∕物）當作……
Jim counts teaching as a career.
吉姆把教書當成是終身職志。
2. give...a try 試一下……
We decided to give the new dish a try.
我們決定試著嚐嚐那道新料理。
《Extra Word》
1. sill n. 窗台
2. flower vi. 開花 & n. 花（本文中以現在分詞作形容詞用）
3. herb n. 香草；藥草
《TIPS IN USE》
You can also try growing...
（您也能嘗試種植……）
...problems we are trying to deal with these days.
（……我們近來正設法解決……問題……）
try + 動名詞∕名詞 嘗試……
try to + 原形動詞 試著∕設法要……
注意:
try 表『嘗試』時，用動名詞或名詞作受詞，旨在強調嘗試某種方法或某件事；try 若表『設法』時，則用不定詞片語作受詞，旨在強調企圖要做某件事。
Why don't you try making a romantic dinner to surprise your wife?
（你何不嘗試做一頓浪漫的晚餐好給你老婆驚喜？）
Maurice tried to make more money for traveling around the world.
（摩里斯為了要環遊世界而設法多賺點錢。）
There are other benefits to gardening as well. One is that it makes people more relaxed. Studies have shown that people who do gardening feel calmer in their lives. This is because gardening helps them release stress. Another benefit of gardening is that it improves health. Gardening keeps you active and provides fresh food. Both of these are essential for a healthy lifestyle. Gardeners also feel a stronger connection to nature. This is important, especially with all of the environmental problems we are trying to deal with these days.
If you are looking for a hobby, give gardening a try. You will discover the fun of getting your hands dirty and the satisfaction that comes with growing something. Besides, nothing tastes better than a vegetable you have grown in your own garden.
許多人認為擁有一座花園就意謂著您得要有偌大空間及很多閒暇時間。然而事實並非如此。在您家中或窗台上種植一些植物依然算是園藝。園藝之所以是一項值得養成的嗜好，這當中有眾多原因。植物能夠為任何房間增添色彩，並維持空氣清淨。此外，如果您在窗外種植一些開花植物，它們甚至能吸引豔麗的蝴蝶。您也能嘗試種植蔬菜或香草。它們能夠提供烹飪所用的食材和調味料。乾燥的香草和花朵作為裝飾品也相當合適。
園藝還有其它的益處。其一就是能讓人感到舒緩。研究顯示園藝者在生活中會感到較為平靜。這是因為園藝能幫助他們釋放壓力。另一項園藝的好處就是它能增進健康。園藝除了能讓您全身動起來，還能提供新鮮的食材。這兩點對於健康的生活形態都是不可或缺的。喜歡園藝的人和大自然的關係也較為緊密。這點十分重要，尤其是在我們近來正設法解決各種自然環境問題的此刻。
如果您正在尋找嗜好，不妨試試園藝。您將會發現弄髒雙手的樂趣以及栽種花草所帶來的滿足感。此外，沒有其它食物會比您在自家花園所種植的蔬菜更美味了。
《Building Your Vocabulary》
1. benefit n. 好處，益處
Convenience is a benefit of living in cities.
住在城市裡的一項好處就是方便。
2. relaxed a. 輕鬆的；舒適的
Janet felt more relaxed after taking a bath.
珍娜在泡澡後感到輕鬆多了。
3. release vt. 釋放，發洩
Bob released his anger by going running.
鮑伯藉由跑步來宣洩他的怒氣。
4. essential a. 絕對重要的；不能缺少的
Strong boots are essential for a long hike.
耐穿的靴子對於長途健行是不可或缺的。
5. environmental a. 自然環境的
A lot of environmental concerns have been raised about nuclear power plants.
核能發電廠的興建引發了許多有關自然環境的擔憂。
6. satisfaction n. 滿足，滿意
Bill got satisfaction from being a volunteer.
當志工讓比爾感到很滿足。
《Phrases for Learning》
1. count (+ 人∕物 +) as... （把某人∕物）當作……
Jim counts teaching as a career.
吉姆把教書當成是終身職志。
2. give...a try 試一下……
We decided to give the new dish a try.
我們決定試著嚐嚐那道新料理。
《Extra Word》
1. sill n. 窗台
2. flower vi. 開花 & n. 花（本文中以現在分詞作形容詞用）
3. herb n. 香草；藥草
《TIPS IN USE》
You can also try growing...
（您也能嘗試種植……）
...problems we are trying to deal with these days.
（……我們近來正設法解決……問題……）
try + 動名詞∕名詞 嘗試……
try to + 原形動詞 試著∕設法要……
注意:
try 表『嘗試』時，用動名詞或名詞作受詞，旨在強調嘗試某種方法或某件事；try 若表『設法』時，則用不定詞片語作受詞，旨在強調企圖要做某件事。
Why don't you try making a romantic dinner to surprise your wife?
（你何不嘗試做一頓浪漫的晚餐好給你老婆驚喜？）
Maurice tried to make more money for traveling around the world.
（摩里斯為了要環遊世界而設法多賺點錢。）
