LITMIR.BIZ

       Introduction

       Gardening for me began as a therapy, a way to restore myself from a hectic schedule of travelling and performing. I vividly remember returning from a working trip abroad still dressed in tight black trousers and a shoulder-padded jacket and going straight out into the garden to train my pyracantha. I haven’t changed much and still often garden in completely inappropriate clothing such as nightdresses and platform mules! Now, as a busy working parent, my garden has never been so essential and has most definitely saved my sanity on more than one occasion. In our increasingly stressful and busy lives, a place to relax and re-charge our batteries is more and more important; modern living often sets a pace that can wear people down. A leafy sanctuary provides the perfect antidote, somewhere that offers peace and tranquillity, a place to unwind and share quality time with family and friends.

      Gardens are not only good for the spirit, but good for the environment too. Plants absorb atmospheric pollutants as they produce food for themselves to grow, a process called photosynthesis, which at the same time releases oxygen back into the atmosphere. Plants also encourage wildlife, whose natural habitats are increasingly under threat from modern living. The simple pleasure of seeing birds, squirrels and ladybirds in the garden must not be underestimated. While being close to nature has a positive impact on our mental health, our gardens can become havens for wildlife, providing them with food, water and shelter without making any compromises to a chosen garden design.

      The educational value of gardening should not be underestimated either, and schools are increasingly incorporating it into their teaching, often by creating wildlife or sensory gardens. In fact, I strongly believe that gardening for children is a natural; I’ve never come across a child yet who wasn’t completely entranced by a pot of garden soil! Encouraging them to appreciate their natural world is a greater gift than any bought in a toy shop. Research shows that gardening can no longer be treated as a trivial pursuit, but instead it can be used as a valuable tool in helping vulnerable adults overcome a wide range of health and social problems by boosting their self-esteem and confidence.

      Gardening not only provides the feel-good factor, but is a wonderful way to exercise. Of course, by this I don’t mean a gentle potter in and out of the shed. Like all moderate cardiovascular exercise, it can help lower blood pressure and even heart disease and strokes. Just being out in the sunshine helps the body to make vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones.

       First-time gardening

      First of all decide what your level of commitment is. Do you have the budget and the energy for a whole garden makeover, or do you simply want to make the best of what you’ve got? Write down your garden wish list, not forgetting to include the more practical elements like where the shed or the washing line goes, but don’t restrict your imagination.

      Think, too, about how you would like to style your garden. For instance, if you live in the country, you could reflect the natural, rural surroundings by using timber fencing, old bricks and rustic arches, setting the perfect stage for roses, lavender and marigolds. Urban homes often suit garden styles that reflect the design and materials of the house, and perhaps the use of ‘architectural’ plants with strong place and presence; very small urban gardens may even reflect the styling from within the house.

      I wanted my own garden to have a more formal design close to the house so I planted clipped box balls and used reclaimed York stone and granite setts for the hard landscaping. I also made a small formal herb garden close to the kitchen’s back door (within easy grabbing distance from the plot to the pot!). Further away from the house, gravel paths meander and ornamental grasses and daisy-like flowers, such as echinacea, are planted informally, reflecting the natural style of the surrounding meadows. Ultimately, styling a garden is a very personal choice, but always take into account the location, the site and the style of the house.

      Measure your garden and take time to experiment

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