What got you into gardening

Haha that's funny, shame they don't do them still lol

 

Brilliant thread you started @Kelc, one of those that would be so obviously interesting in terms of the replies that it's a wonder no-one asked the question here before! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it, so thanks!

Mine was a mental health "self-therapy" thing too, I've had and still have severe issues occasionally but horticulture has helped in so many fascinating and unexpected ways! I started off with fragrant plants, sort of like an aromatheraputic thing, and that has led me to be immersed in the world of fragrance nowadays as an enthusiast, it's amazing to me what a "mood-booster" scent can be, both in the garden or worn throughout the day. I plan to soon grow plants that I love as notes in fragrances so I can compare the real thing to its equivalent in perfumery. One thing I'm struggling to find is a fragrance that satisfyingly 'mimics' the fragrance of a good rose!

Another and more important way is the love of insects gardening has introduced me to, it has become a bit of an obsession of mine to attract more and more to my small suburban garden each year. So in that way my OCD gets channelled into something productive for a change! Chilling out and enjoying watching the butterflies, bees, bee-flies, moths and hoverflies is one of the most therapeutic things in my life. Another interesting thing is, my love for cottage gardening has also helped with my OCD in terms of planting more chaotically, it sort of breaks up the obsession with order and also helps me to relax and release anxiety. It was the combination of some Verbena bonariensis seeds that came free with a newspaper and watching this series that really got me started with it all.

Nick

 

Over simplified...influences in my pre-teens, more influences in my teens, then buying a house that had an old style cottage garden that only had edibles, and not a flower in sight!

 

Awww thankyou so much Nick,I'm glad I ask the question too. Been fascinating reading everyone's reasons for it. I love reply too on fragrances.

My mental health is still around for sure and I can't wait for spring so I can get out there everyday for a few month's and be happy.

 

Bet its full of flowers now though

 

@Kelc There are photos of it in my garden timeline thread in the Members Gallery. Its not quite up to date, but you'll get a good idea.

 

Awww great will check it out

 

@Sandy Ground How is your fascinating experiment with Thuja eliminating black spot in roses going, Sandy? Do you know if all species of Thuja have a similar effect on black spot? I'm currently transplanting all my roses to a friend's garden and because he's disabled and wants a pollinator-friendly garden (so no chemical sprays!), I thought he could try something similar to your own approach, might be good in terms of his disability too as it's just an annual application of mulch from what I remember, and so also not as laborious for him as repeated chemical spraying.

Nick

 

The experiment has worked quite well. My suspicions are that as long as coarse shreddings are put down as mulch every Autumn, the problem is eliminated. I dont know if the same thing happens with all species though.

As an aside, I dont use any chemicals in the garden anymore, there are always other ways. I noticed when I was in Denmark last year that one council there has stopped using chemicals as well. Talking to one of the workers was quite informative.

 

Thanks very much @Sandy Ground, that's really useful info! Wasn't the species you used Thuja occidentalis? Perhaps he could grow a small one by keeping it potted and using it for cuttings.

Brilliant, I LOVE hearing this from fellow-gardeners, as someone who hasn't used chemicals for 4 years and has been observing the insect life in their garden closely for the same period I'm starting to appreciate that even a few sprays here and there have a huge impact on species numbers and diversity in our gardens. The best way to help Mother Nature is to use no chemicals at all!

Nick

 

@Nikolaos yes, they were Thuja occidentalis. Even if I dont know for certain, I doubt though if one grown in a pot would work as it would not produce enough cuttings.

To clarify what I wrote about chemicals. Thereare two things that I use but dont consider chemicals. One is the type of lime known as Dolomite Flour, the other an ecological fertiliser. Both are used on the lawn to prevent weeds and moss. I felt rewarded when I saw a Nordic Black Bee (endangered species) in the garden, as well as a "Queen of Spain" butterfly as well as lots of other things.

Getting back on topic. There were other things that got me into gardening also. I suppose the word to use is creativity. There are a lot more things involved in gardening than just putting a plant in the ground and watching it grow. Things such as garden structures, ponds. These have the added advantage of providing challenges to me.