Is it time to re-think garden design?
Landscaper James Wheatley asks if our relationship with outdoor space should change post lockdown.
The importance of our immediate living environment and its relationship with wellbeing has never been so acute.
Being forced to live within the confines of our bubbles has presented a variety of experiences and navigating fulltime living within the boundaries of our home has created a number of significant challenges.
This has highlighted just how meaningless some of our old priorities were and I hope it has shown us just how important our relationship with outdoor space can be.
Less than a month ago, it was business as usual.
We were working on a number of exciting garden projects in the region and I’d had a submission for my first New Zealand-based garden accepted for next year’s Chelsea Flower
Show. This has been my goal for a long time, and I was busy working on securing funding.
The relevance of this garden has become significantly reduced as my priorities have shifted massively in a very short time.
Everyone has a different lockdown story but with the uncertainty and disruption that we have seen, there will be a lot of people looking to build resilience into their environment.
I believe how we perceive the role of our gardens and outdoor spaces will significantly change garden design.
In fact, I have already had three or four clients ring me to discuss how they can incorporate a large edible component.
Like a plumbers tap that always drips, my garden is far from perfect. However, what it lacks in refined beauty it certainly makes up for in functionality.
I am certain that access and connection to this is what has helped me maintain a positive state of mind.
Simple things like having the time to get the ladder out with the kids, and pick fruit that would normally have wasted; (much to the disappointment of the house weka).
Normally my teenage daughter would protest at the mere suggestion of a walk to the vegetable garden, well walking anywhere to be honest.
Watching her wander back from an unprompted trip with a handful of greens and a smile on her face made me wonder if this event could possibly reboot our generational connections.
The health benefits and the vitality that gardens bring to us are no secret.
In fact, research suggests that there are huge physical and mental health benefits associated with working and relaxing in our gardens.
This extends way beyond that of providing food.
They are places that give us a sense of purpose, something that hinges heavily on connection, activity and tranquillity.
Places that reach all our senses to feed our mind and soul.
With a well-thought-out, flowing garden built on the solid foundations of functionality, we have the opportunity to maximise what we have in our bubbles.
Sure, this practical core might not be as stunningly refined and beautiful as some gardens that we are used to but there is every reason that these honest and productive places can still be attractive.
The richness and diversity of use in our gardens can perhaps now offer us so much more.
They can pull us in, connect to us, and make us really want to get out and be there.