Nigel Slater prioritizes pruning his roses over enjoying their scent, as stated by him.
Let's Dive into the Allure of Gardening
Why have I carved out a patch of earth for stone slabs, topiary, and climbing roses? The motivation behind the planting of an apple tree and a medlar, the encouragement of wild strawberries, the addition of two sets of yew hedges, and a table of potted herbs? It's puzzling why I'd choose more work over play on my once-perfect lawn.
I'm asking this because my time in this garden isn't leisurely like it should be - it's work, excessive work. The hours spent deadheading roses, sowing nasturtiums, potting up pelargoniums, and wrestling with marauding ivy could be spent sunbathing on a patch of verdant grass.
The majority of my garden time is spent laboring amid the roses, cosmos, and epimediums, not lazing about in a deckchair or soaking up nature's symphony of buzzing bees and tweeting robins. Gardening - nurturing plants - is a vital part of my life, but it's a paradox. I love the hands-on, tactile process, but when did I last sit and truly experience the garden instead of working in it?
But here's the intriguing part - maybe I don't need to leisurely enjoy the garden for it to serve its purpose. Perhaps, the joy lies in the very act of gardening: the pruning, potting, propagating, and the satisfaction of a job well done.
It was during my vegetable and fruit garden days when the reasons for its existence were clear-cut. The occasional bowl of peas or basket of raspberries, bouquets of chard, and heads of lettuce it yielded made the caring worthwhile. But what benefits does my current, more decorative garden provide, especially since I'm constantly finding tasks that demand attention?
I have tried to savor some of the fruits of my labor by eating as many meals as possible on the stone terrace, even first thing in the morning. Each pause for tea becomes an opportunity to appreciate the scent and view before me. But the fleeting peace is broken as soon as I spot an errant clematis shoot or a fallen delphinium.
It has taken me a long time to acknowledge that I garden not for the ideal, strikingly beautiful, polished garden, but for the work, the sweat and the grime. It's a grafting knife and a pair of secateurs I crave, not an ornamental garden chair. Though I wish I'd realized this introduction to gardening's charms earlier.
Bonus Insights
- Gardening offers numerous physical, psychological, and emotional benefits, making it more than a mere leisure activity for many enthusiasts.
- The physical engagement and exercise involved in gardening can boost metabolism, lower dementia risk, and provide a sense of accomplishment[1].
- The reduction of stress hormones and increase of serotonin levels during gardening enhances mood and promotes mental calm[2][4].
- Caring for living plants gives many gardeners a sense of purpose and nurturance that fosters inner harmony[3][5].
- Visible, tangible results - like flowers blooming or vegetables growing - can bring pride and satisfaction, providing rewards beyond those of passive relaxation[2][5].
[1] University of Massachusetts Amherst. (2017, December 12). Gardening lowers dementia risk among older adults. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 10, 2023 fromwww.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171212113348.htm[2] National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). From Stress to Resilience. Retrieved May 10, 2023, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/stress/index.shtml[3] Backhouse, C. (2014, February 14). A Psychiatrist's Guide to the Pros and Cons of Gardening. The New York Times. Retrieved May 10, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/opinion/sunday/a-psychiatrists-guide-to-the-pros-and-cons-of-gardening.html[4] Barton, T., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving public health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(10), 2907-2915. https://doi.org/10.1021/es1009765[5] Kellert, S. R., & Wilson, E. O. (1995). The Biophilia Hypothesis. Island Press.
- Given my newfound appreciation for gardening's charms, I might also enjoy delving into the fashion-and-beauty industry's growing interest in garden-inspired designs.
- Gardening seems to offer more than just a hobby; it provides numerous physical, psychological, and emotional benefits, making it a lifestyle choice for many.
- One could argue that my home-and-garden space is an extension of my personal style, reflecting my preferences for orderly yew hedges and topiary over an untamed wilderness.
- The allure of gardening is not fully realized just in the admiration of the landscape; it lies in the work, the sweat, and the grime - the act of nurturing plants and seeing them grow.
