Mental health and gardening

Lovely! I have tall daisies but not where I planted them 😁

And oregano everywhere .....

My cornflower seeds are coming on a treat! 🤣

But the poppy, cornflower and daisy seeds I put in there haven't germinated. Of course!

Our own compost was spread on a fairly empty border; we have some magnificent weeds wildflowers and healthy-looking tomato plants coming up 😁

We also have a compost bin and mix it with peat free. Perhaps that why we have been getting better results.

My last bag of peat free compost sat unopened for a month, the last of three. Now I would have to take a hammer and chisel to it to break it up. It is as solid as a brick, how could delicate plant roots get through that? It dries out at the top of the pot leaving the bottom a soggy solid lump. I have gardened since being a child and have never had such poor germination. Seeds are now very expensive and not to be wasted nor the time lost having to start again I have now given in and am using peat reduced compost.

Yes, I won't go back to peat-based compost but I did wonder why some plants are not doing as well.

We have been using peat free compost with great results and preserving the peat bogs is a bonus. 😉

Greyduster

Peat free compost is the work of the devil. I’ve been growing plants for thirty five years and have never had anything thrive in peat free compost. Having to be stuck with that would not do a lot for my mental health!

Is this why we're not having great success with our plants in pots?

Greyduster I couldn’t agree with you more and nor could a lot of professional horticulturists. Non peat products have to be rammed with chemicals and cost twice as much and the success rate is more than halved. Europe is not going down the peat free road so their nurseries will be outcompeting ours. Peat is not the bad boy climate alarmists think. Peter Seagrove wrote some interesting articles explaining why it is not harmful to use it.

Peat free compost is the work of the devil. I’ve been growing plants for thirty five years and have never had anything thrive in peat free compost. Having to be stuck with that would not do a lot for my mental health!

Monty Don has/had serious mental health problems and freely admits that it is gardening that has helped him. Perhaps that is why the programme bangs on about it so much. That and the emphasis on peat free compost.

fiorentina51
Several of the programs I’ve watched seem to back up your mention of the social aspect- not the solitary gardening, unless that’s your go to stress reliever.
We have a lawn -that’s more of a challenge since we’ve had a dog, but I gave up on borders when I discovered the tortoise ate anything we planted. So we have half a dozen pots with flowers or veg. I don’t mind that, and enjoy sitting out in the garden relaxing.
But the stress relief comes from being part of the Friends of xxxx, the local park. Removing weeds, planting out, organising refreshments for those doing the heavy stuff, all with company to chat with is a great stress reliever.

I’m so glad my DH is a keen gardener. I love the way he makes it look but loathe doing it myself. I also loathe housework but do it because mess and dust cause me stress. I can’t relax if the house needs cleaning. Everyone has different ways of reducing stress. I just lie down and read or watch tv. No desire to be outdoors or by the sea etc. An hour or so of quiet resting and I’m fine again.

Well, my mental health will be severely affected if dh dares to mow the nice new patch of buttercups in our tiddly little lawn* - he’s had strict instructions, so I will go off my rocker.

*I use the term loosely - it’s mostly wildflowers aka weeds.

The resident tortoise (prehistoric) is known as Spike O’Saurus.

Personally being able to garden really helps my anxiety. While I am busy in the garden that is all I focus on it's balm to my soul.

I am like travelsafar and my garden stresses me. It was always DH’s area and I definitely do not have green fingers. Parts of it are very overgrown. The chap I got in to do some gardening is a waste of money. He achieves almost nothing. I am going to sack him.
There is also the problem that I live in a link detached, so the only way to reach the back garden is through the garage and the extension behind it.
My daughter is really busy but she loves gardening and she works miracles in 15 minutes.
I limit myself to 20 minutes plus five to clear up, then 20 minutes for my knees and back to recover.
My mental health is best served by singing in a choir.

I am a very keen gardener and it is the best place to destress me. Gardening connects us to our ancestry where being in contact with the land and producing something to eat or of beauty gives most of us a feeling of well-being. I believe it has been proved that being surrounded by green whether in a garden, forest of field brings solace to thhe soul.

I think both Monty and Adam have gone through depression so they are talking from experience with regards to the well being benefits of gardening. It's right to encourage us to spend time tending to nature, caring for wildlife and planting seeds, we feel good because we are doing something worthwhile. Bit of a win-win really.

Well it works for me.Nothing makes me forget any troubles like a session in the garden.When I went through a particularly stressful time I realised I was never happier than when I was digging,weeding or surrounded by nature.But I realise its not for everyone.A friend finds crotchet and crafting is her thing.Another paints.But GW is a gardening programme so I don't have a problem with them discussing the benefits.

Iam64

There certainly seems to be more low mood and general dissatisfaction with life around since lockdown.
I’m not including mh problems like anxiety, depression, bipolar etc in my ‘low mood’ comment.
I feel happier when I’ve spent time gardening, dog walking or just sitting outside (warm and dry) chatting with a trusted friend.
Live, let live and encourage all of us to do things that help us live our best lives
And - try not to moan about everything 🌞

I certainly think people are more angry and stressed.

Whether that's lockdowns, cost of living, or whatever, there is a lot of anger and resentment around.

Which is a shame. Sometimes you just need to find whatever gives you some joy.

And, it doesn't need to cost anything. 😗

Gardening is my idea of hell...but if you're depressed etc, it's a case of what works for "you".

Some people love gardening, others crafts, others whatever.

If it works, it works.🙂

Coronation

There is an assumption that everybody has a garden.

There seem to be more community gardens being established for those who like gardening or want to try it but don't have one of their own.

Sorry your struggling SL.. not everyone takes to Gardning.

I was told by a long time ago "women get to a certain age, then either turn to Religion or Gardning" not sure I believe that but it was Gardning for me.
Don't stress this, if you can't do see if you can get someone to help you, then just sit outside and enjoy the garden.
If you can afford a Gardning service /local gardener in a couple of times, it will also make life easier for you.

Best of luck.. I'm off to a local but big garden show today even walking around that, brings me joy.

There certainly seems to be more low mood and general dissatisfaction with life around since lockdown.
I’m not including mh problems like anxiety, depression, bipolar etc in my ‘low mood’ comment.
I feel happier when I’ve spent time gardening, dog walking or just sitting outside (warm and dry) chatting with a trusted friend.
Live, let live and encourage all of us to do things that help us live our best lives
And - try not to moan about everything 🌞