Playing in the dirt makes you smarter

The Washington Post reports that a pair of biologist at Sage College in Troy, N.Y., found that mice who ingest a harmless bacteria found in dirt everywhere were able to negotiate a maze faster - and they retained that knowledge, too.

The scientists are suggesting that this, as much as learning to appreciate vegetables, is good reason to encourage children to get into gardening.

They also found that the bacteria stimulated the brain to produce serotonin, a brain chemical that contributes to feelings of well-being.

So, it appears that we gardeners get more out of gardening than we thought.