Oct
Benefit From Gardening
Walking or driving through the neighbourhood on a Sunday afternoon is very relaxing. I love looking at all the gardens. I have never attempted to develop my horticultural skills because time is always an issue. That is why I admire people who actually spend time in their gardens.
Some people believe that gardening is good for our health. It helps us to relax & get rid of unnecessary stress. Many people jog or spend time in the gym after a hard day’s work. Well, gardening is exercise, too. It should be an option. It helps our bodies physically & we burn calories out in the garden just like in the gym.
Yes, gardening sounds like hard work out of doors where we have to contend with the forces of nature: wind, heat, insects ? The soil has to be prepared, the seeds need to be scattered & watered, & the plants need to be nurtured. But that is the point. We reap what we sow: happiness, confidence, serenity, peace, self-respect. OK. So, gardening helps us not only physically, but in a psychological way, too. And when we work hard, we appreciate more the outcome of our efforts.
A garden tells our neighbours about us. It reflects our personality. We are what we sow & plant. OK. Some people have gardens that look peaceful & quiet, with an amazing calming effect on visitors. Others prefer colourful gardens with bird baths & bird feeds. There is more. The birds give the garden a cheerful & lively effect. I have seen sophisticated gardens & natural gardens that fit in with their environment; gardens with themes; & gardens that look like a park inviting me to sit down & enjoy a picnic.
When I look at all these gardens, I realize that no special qualifications are needed to start gardening. All we really need is genuine interest. There are so many books & articles available for the inexperienced gardener, & we also learn through trial & error.
I remember reading ‘The Secret Garden’ when I was young. I loved the part where Mary discovered the hidden door & found the neglected garden. She took it upon herself to tend to the garden. She learnt things like the fact that the lifeless roses were not dead. And as she worked in the garden she blossomed in her own special way.
Since reading the story, I have always wanted a special corner in my garden where I could sit down & relax. I never had the opportunity to develop my own little garden & time is still my greatest enemy. I find myself running in & out of every day with very little time to stop & see exactly what’s growing outside my house.
Perhaps that is why so many pensioners spend time gardening. But, our dreams should never be kept for tomorrow. There’s nothing wrong with today. When I go shopping again, I will buy the seeds. And when I find time to sit & type my next article, I will consider the seeds & maybe I will water & till the ground.
