Better in the buff - National Nude Gardening Day
10 September 2023
Nude Gardening Day is back on October 21, 2023.
National Nude Gardening Day provides gardening enthusiasts with the perfect excuse to shed inhibitions along with clothes and soak up the beauty of nature.
This Labour Weekend Kiwis will be getting their kit off and getting outside as they celebrate the therapeutic benefits of gardening without the confines of clothing.
Nude Gardening Day, which traditionally takes place on the Saturday of Labour Weekend, sits in National Gardening Week. This year’s theme, Vegies – Better homegrown - aims to shine a light on the multiple benefits of growing your own vegetables.
Fiona Arthur from Yates says National Nude Gardening Day isn't just about breaking taboos.
“It's a reminder of our deep-rooted connection to the natural world and a chance to indulge in the therapeutic benefits of gardening sans clothing. What better way to tend your garden than in the buff,” says Ms Arthur.
Alice de Wet, marketing manager of the New Zealand Federation of Naturists, says Nude Gardening Day is a world-wide phenomenon that is not just reserved for naturists.
“We invite everyone to try it – at your local club or in your own back garden. Getting out in the sun, as nature intended, is very liberating and empowering. It promotes body positivity and a renewed appreciation for the environment,” says Ms de Wet.
Nude Gardening Day can be celebrated in many different ways:
- Don your birthday suit and garden as nature intended
- Connect with nature – hug a tree, chat to the plants, sow some spring vegie or flower seeds
- Get some exercise – but maybe skip the star jumps and instead pull some weeds, top up the compost and trim out of control bushes
- Be brave and give your neighbours a cheeky little wave
- Share the day with friends and invite your bosom buddies around for a cold beverage
- Make memories – take a photo of something beautiful in your garden
- Meditate or read a book in the great outdoors
- Embrace the sensory experience - feel the soil beneath your feet, the sun on your skin, and the breeze against your body
Remember, safety is paramount. Participants should be mindful of sun protection, use appropriate gardening tools, and be cautious of any potential hazards in their garden.
So, whether you're an experienced gardener or just looking to try something new, shed the stresses of daily life along with your clothes and revel in the therapeutic joy of tending to the earth au naturel.
About National Nude Gardening Day
National Nude Gardening Day is an annual event that encourages individuals to embrace gardening in the nude as a way to connect with nature and promote body positivity. Participants have the freedom to choose their comfort level and are invited to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #NudeGardeningDay.
About NZ Naturist Federation
NZ Naturist Federation has around 1200 members. The most Southern naturist club in the world is in Invercargill and the oldest club in New Zealand is in Auckland, which began in the 1930s.
Naturism leads to increased confidence and self-esteem, stemming from feeling better about yourself and your body. Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature, expressed through social nudity, linked to self-respect, tolerance of differing views together with respect for the environment.