Why you should add gardening to your list of hobbies
How I discovered gardening during lockdown and why you should consider giving it a go.
In March 2022, with the warmer weather fast approaching, my parents decided they wanted to start designing their ideal garden. I helped them sketch out a plan and we started to turn their dreams into reality with numerous amounts of trips to the garden centre. I looked forwards to every visit and buying plants of my own to pot in the garden. I started to spend hours outside, whether I was potting plants or helping my parents make up and paint garden furniture. It also allowed me to express my creativity in a way I had never thought of before. I am now proud to say that gardening is a big part of my life.
Just for reference, most garden centres do not just sell plants, but also garden furniture, homeware, farm shop produce, and crafts from local businesses, depending on which ones you go to. Most of the local ones near me also have their own cafes/restaurants. It really is a day out!
Growing my own produce
After reading several magazines and articles about the simplicity of the process, I decided to have a bash at growing my own herbs. I went to the garden centre and picked up small pots of several types (parsley, coriander, dill, oregano, etc.) and potted them on our wall planter. To my delight, after several weeks, the herbs started to take form and are still growing very well. Whenever I cook and need any, I simply go outside and snip off my desired quantity and return to the kitchen. To know you have grown something and is produce that you can eat, let me tell you, the satisfaction is simply surreal. I thought I would start off simple and work my way up to grow my own veg. That is currently a work in progress and will write another article when I am successful!
Why I love gardening
When I visit a garden centre, it’s as if all of my problems and worries just disappear. I am transported into another world full of colour, pleasant aromas, and continuous growth. When I return home and start potting my purchases, hours fly by and I am in my own little bubble. If I had to limit my love of gardening to a single thing, it would probably be the satisfaction one gets from watching a plant thrive, especially when it is from a seedling (as I mentioned before about growing my own herbs). I feel as if I am constantly achieving when I garden, which in turn helps my self-esteem. Just being outside works wonders, especially when it is sunny and gardening is a physical hobby, so it gets my body moving. Whenever I start to feel a bit low, I take myself outside to do a bit of gardening or if I’m really not feeling it, I’ll just admire the garden. I always feel much better after doing so.
I highly recommend visiting the RHS website, as there are several real-life stories about how gardening has changed people’s lives, as well as an article from a scientist’s POV by Professor Alistair Griffiths. I have linked these below.
The takeaway
I am not suggesting that gardening will solve all of your life problems (unfortunately). But if it is something you have thought or even never thought about doing, why not give it a whirl? If it’s not for you, at least you tried. On the other hand, if you try it and like it, you have discovered a new hobby and a way to de-stress. I am also completely aware of the fact that not everyone has a garden. If you fall into this category, fear not! There are many other ways you can enjoy gardening. Why not try growing herbs on your kitchen windowsill or having house plants? Go one step further and see if there are any local allotments available for you to rent a space.
If you share my love of gardening, comment down below!
