A scientific study from the University of Vienna shows that men who spend thirty minutes a day in gardening activities, five days a week, can boost their sexual prowess by more than thirty percent. (The researchers also suggest that other moderate exercise would be similarly effective.) This could be a great motivator for getting him off the couch and into the garden or gym!

Spending time on the relationship itself – planting new seeds, providing the necessary nurturing ingredients, weeding out negative growth, appreciating the harvest  – is perhaps even more important than time spent working in the garden. In some circles, it’s thought that talking to plants enhances their growth. Similarly powerful, then, is talking to your significant other, paying attention, focusing on your relationship as a living entity.

My husband and I have a daily practice together that guarantees our love is kept alive. It takes only ten minutes a day, and we’ve written about it in our new book, Tantric Sex for Busy Couples: How to Deepen Your Passion in Just Ten Minutes a Day. That leaves plenty of time for the outdoors kind of gardening too, or other exercise! (Shoveling snow might be more likely this time of year.)

I love thinking of my relationship as a garden – not only does it have requirements for growth and sustainability, it’s also a restful sanctuary to spend time in. And it provides the fulfilling equivalent of fruits and flowers.

Without tending, both gardens and relationships wither and dry up. So what do you think, is a garden a good metaphor for a relationship? Have fun with this one.