Gardening has been a hobby of mine for many years, off and on, depending on different stages of my life.

The earliest recollection of a connection with planting/gardening was, from being taken to my Papa’s allotment in Leith, Edinburgh, where he grew vegetables and flowers, and my involvement would be helping him to pick potatoes to feed our family. I recall, with a shudder, the cold and dampness, mud and worms, and the sore back! My Papa would toil in all weather’s, digging soil, turning the fork, hoeing and getting his hands into the ground when all else failed. Nothing was ever thrown out, as was evident from looking at other people’s tiny plots of ground. There were copper pipes, broken internal doors, corrugated iron sections, frayed rope, empty bottles and various pieces of wood of all shapes, all dotted around to create a homely environment, even a seat with a cover from the rain. This was of course only 15 years after World War 2 had ended and the community used and re-used materials, whereas nowadays, rubbish tips are full of everything!

Mindful gardening I suppose, started at a very early age, except it was not called Mindfulness in my childhood, it was just known as gardening or cultivating.

Gardening was a place to get away from it all; somewhere to work things out in your head, and generally find peace and quiet.

Time went by, and when it came for me to get on the property ladder, I always looked to see how much land was attached to the house, so that I too could grow my own flowers and maybe some vegetables. If a property didn’t have an outside space, indoor plants would provide me with a connection to nature, plus I could talk to the plants – that is another story!

Now 50 odd years on, I still find that the garden and what it offers me, is vital to my own wellbeing. I can practice Mindful Gardening or meditate in the corner next to the sweet peas; the ones that I have grown from seed. Or indeed, tending to any plant or vegetable and watching it grow is tremendously satisfying.

In Spring and Summer, I like to tend to the plants and soil, weeding and pruning, but it is the knowledge that I built this small garden, where the birds, bees and all sorts of insects come to enjoy what nature offers.

In the present day, the term Mindful Gardening is often used to describe the peace and joy that you find in your own private green space. It could be sitting on a public park bench, and maybe doing a little maintenance yourself, weeding here and there to make your ‘spot’ more attractive? Many people, without thinking where they are, tidy up near where they are sitting. Next time you are in a public garden area, watch to see if anyone tidies up their small space while sitting down!  

My parents used to be keen gardeners, yet now, they only have a window box at their apartment, and still, they take the time to prune the flowers, carefully watering and making their own mark on nature. There will be a time that I downsize and end up with my own window box too.

It matters not the size of your plot of land, or soil, all you want is a connection with the plants – you feed them, and they give you that special time, away from the chaos of the world.

Mindful gardening helps to improve our physical and emotional wellbeing, as anyone will tell you that it is certainly a physical activity, especially if you try to grow root vegetables. Lifting plants like dahlias at the end of autumn, then wrapping them in newspaper and storing them away until spring. Add in the growing of potatoes, and picking them, added so much strain to my back at times. I learned over time to take it easier, relishing the experience of growing and caring for plants.

When I was younger, I was always in a hurry to do everything at once. Gardening is a slow activity, taking the time to appreciate all the wonder around, and when it comes to the heavy stuff, seek help if needed – especially if there are youngsters around, eager to help.

It is not only my personal experiences of gardening that could encourage readers to try it out as an alternative lifestyle choice, as the Royal Horticultural Society and some of the UK’s GPs suggest that prescribing gardening to individuals can help those with Dementia and various Mental Health issues.

There are many studies regarding the link of being out in green spaces and better Mental Health, and some of the benefits include:

Breathing a better quality of oxygen – less pollution in green spaces.

Creating better social connections and relationships within your community, through gardening for the greater good.

Improving our diet, by growing vegetables and fruit for instance, can improve our eating habits, and promote a healthier diet.

Time spent in ‘green’ spaces suggest that you may live longer, so says researchers at Harvard University.

Mindful Gardening is about getting away from the chaos of daily life; the issues at work or in the home; of health problems; money worries and so on.

Allowing yourself to be in the present by slowing down your mind, breathing in the clean air in these green spaces, and noticing nature all around. Creating your own space, allowing the sun’s rays to hit your face and appreciate the here and now.

Use your senses, to Hear, Smell, Taste, Feel and See all that is around you. We are often in a hurry to get to places without thinking of ourselves. Hear the insects, Smell the flowers, Taste the air, Feel the wind/sun, and See all the natural beauty surrounding you. This is Mindful Gardening.

As I think back to my younger years with my Papa, helping him in his allotment, and if he were alive today, and I was to tell him about Mindful Gardening, he would nod his head in agreement, saying you can call it whatever you wish, as long as you get the benefit from your effort.

Thanks for sharing your time to read my post.

Steve