Growing interest in gardening joy
As Covid restrictions continue, more people are finding solace – physically and mentally – in their gardens
THESE ARE days of crisp frosts and snow, yet the first burgeoning burst of spring is not too far away, sowing seeds of hope.
As the nation seeks solace in small joys, Alan Titchmarsh is among those extolling the virtues of the great outdoors.
The gardener and television broadcaster, detailing the benefits of lockdown gardening, has revealed he lost a stone in weight through last spring and summer as he toiled in the garden.
“To pardon the pun, it has grounded us all,” he said.
“It has shown a sense of reality that seems to have been lacking in this crazy world, particularly because the last lockdown happened in spring, the garden was burgeoning and coming back to life.”
The health and wellbeing benefits of gardening have long been recognised, in reconnecting with nature and in light physical exercise.
There is also a hearty satisfaction to be had, said Titchmarsh on Good Morning Britain, in carving creation from garden landscapes.
“A lot of people discovered the solace, the mental health benefits of being out there on the ground in the garden watching things grow,” he said.
At RHS Harlow Carr, in Harrogate, the gardens have remained open in pre- booked slots to local visitors for daily exercise in line with current guidelines.
There had been a huge surge in people taking up gardening in the first lockdown, said curator Paul Cook, and it was keen to see this continue.
Here in the gardens the vibrant stems of dogwood and willow, ranging in colour from a vivid yellow to black, stand out against a willow foliage of feathery conifers and clipped yew hedging.
The seasonal flowers, such as the golden shades of Hamamelis which endure even in the hardiest of winters, bring a much- needed dash of colour to the wintry landscapes.
Snowdrops, inset, are already beginning to pop up, said Mr Cook as the garden hosts its Winter Walks, with their arrival signalling a “sure sign” that spring is soon to be on the way.
“There are some wonderful winter flowers to enjoy such as the Cyclamen coum with pink or white backswept propellershaped flowers which float over kidney shaped foliage often prettily marked with silver veins,” he said. As the first shoots of spring begin to sow, there is a contentment to be had in discovering the simple joys of gardening and in readiness for the coming spring.
“Gardens and outdoor space are so important for both mental and physical health,” said Mr Cook. “You don’t need much space to have a go at gardening and a great way to start is by growing your own fruit and veg, allowing you to have plenty of healthy food that you can pick as and when you need it along with a fantastic sense of accomplishment.
“Getting outside and taking in some fresh air can do wonders for your wellbeing and as the early snowdrops and daffodils begin to pop up, they bring with them the first signs of spring and a feeling of renewal.”
A sense of reality that seems to be lacking in this crazy world. Alan Titchmarsh explains the attraction of gardening during Covid.