Monday, March 26, 2012

Gardening is Therapy


"The tomatoes that I grow seem to taste better!"

Why do I garden? For some unknown reason, it just simply feels good to do so. Maybe it’s the Vitamin D from the sun, the fresh air, or the connection that I feel from knowing that my departed father and grandmother loved to garden as well? Maybe it is from the satisfaction and the pride that I feel from just doing it? The flowers are each beautiful, unique, and the textures and shapes of the leaves are absolutely amazing. My garden isn’t perfect by any means, and there is always something that needs to be done. I’m not perfect either. I’ve simply learned to appreciate life, and I simply strive to do my best. If I don’t like something, I will make a change, whether it is within me, within my physical environment, or within my garden.


Gardening doesn’t come without challenges for anyone, and this is that time of year that it can be a little overwhelming. When I head out, I usually have a mission or some kind of plan. This helps, but I don’t always find myself doing what I had originally set out to do. (I prefer to be a little more spontaneous in life.) Eventually, I know that I will make my way around the whole yard, and accomplish what needs to be done. I’m slower than most people, and I can’t get to everything easily. This inability to move around easily is probably the most frustrating part of gardening for me. Other than the frustration that I feel when I have finally made it to where I want to be, and suddenly realize that I don’t have the right tool with me. Err, this happens, and I move on. My garden forces me to be patient with myself.

Understanding my own physical limitations helps with these challenges but, being more innovative helps even more. Accepting what is difficult, and constantly determining new ways to do something is survival. As I get older, I know that my physical limitations are increasing. The plants that I now choose seem to require less maintenance. I leave more space around each plant. I buy long reach tools to avoid leaning over as much as possible. I buy smaller bags of dirt. I have a plant dolly to move my containers. Fortunately, as our population gets older, more and more garden tool manufacturers are realizing this need and are creating more and more products. I’m amazed at the number of raised beds, and plant containers on wheels that I see now. More products are being created to reduce the need of leaning over.


Knowing when to ask for help is also vital. (Not an easy task for this independent woman.) If I was alone or if I had a partner that wasn’t into gardening, I would probably have to have a smaller garden, but I would still do it. I would have to factor in the cost of additional maintenance. Gardening is a big part of my life, but there are other things that I enjoy doing as well. Accepting what I can and cannot do makes gardening manageable.

Personally, I enjoy the exercise that I get by lifting bags of dirt and heavy containers of plants, I enjoy socializing with other gardeners, I love shopping for plants, and I truly have fun sweating in my own garden. Pruning something seems to be a terrific way to relieve stress. I’ve always loved to get my hands dirty. I own more garden tools than shoes. The tomatoes that I grow seem to taste better, and I can never have too many cut flowers in my house. Some days I simply just enjoy sitting in my garden. It is quite meditative. Other times I enjoy photographing the amazing flowers. I’m intrigued by the unique detail in every flower. My garden is a form of physical exercise as well as a state of mental well being. My garden is my therapy, both physical and mental. It keeps me active. I love it, and that is why I do it.



12 comments:

  1. keep writing! i love it.

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  2. It is great therapy-both physical and mental. I love the story about Monet and his garden. He was sitting on a bench amidst his water gardens when a well to do gentleman approached and commented, 'ah, sir, I see you are resting?' 'No,' replied Monet. 'I am working.'The gentleman appeared puzzled and went on his way. A few days later the same man came walking about, and this time Monet was at his easel, painting the scene before him. 'Ah,sir,' he said to Monet. 'And now you are working?' 'No' replied the painter. 'Now I am playing.' Gardening is like that for me... I'm really thinking about art. or nothing. One and the same.

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  3. "I own more garden tools than shoes." Now that's my kinda woman!! And if I weren't dedicated to the woman gardener I'm married to now, I'd probably give you a call!

    I think it's SUPER DUPER AWESOMENESS that you express such a positive attitude about your limitations as a gardener. I often write about the special needs of us "cotton top" gardeners and you've inspired me to keep writing about it.

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  4. Not allergic to ants, but I've heard similar stories. They love me. I should take a picture of my arm. We have insect repellent, but it doesn't do anything to repel the ants. They crawl up the chair and bite my calves. Maybe snake boots would help. I'm hyper sensitive or simply paranoid that when I get bitten, I feel as if I've been bitten by a whole colony.

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  5. TC please keep writing! I'm getting older too and what I write about applies to an ever growing number of people. It's all about universal design. Accepting what I can't do makes me appreciate what I can do. Pretty simple philosophy, huh? I had to relearn everything after I broke my neck. This is a piece of cake! Most importantly, I love it. Please stay in touch, and I look forward to your writing.

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  6. Excellent attitude towards gardening! It is a love, not a chore, and tomatoes always do taste better and flowers always smell sweeter from your own garden!
    We use lots of raised beds in our garden and hope to use them exclusively one day. In regards to getting to the garden and not having the right tool, may I suggest (if you use raised beds) that a small box be attached to the end of a bed with a hand trowel, clippers and a hand rake. These seem to be the tools that can accomplish almost any task and are small enough to fit in a small box at end of bed. Keep writing and loving your garden!

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  7. I do not have raised beds now, but I have had them and I want them. I have the perfect spot picked out, and I'm looking at different designs. I leave a small shovel on my back porch, one at my work bench and I keep pruners on my chair. (one day I'll get in trouble for bringing them in somewhere where I shouldn't.) Gardening is something that I truly enjoy. I'm going to write about equipment, my chair & tools soon. Love hearing ideas like yours!

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  8. Brenda You've produced what should become a FIRST EDITION of a much needed book. Congratulations!
    I never expected to need such advice, but here I am; your devoted pupil. You write beautifully. KEEP IT UP AND PRODUCE A BOOK. I MEAN IT! LOVE; GEORGIE

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  9. Brenda, I have just discovered your blog...wow! Many of us have found the love of gardening "by accident". I had gotten out of substance abuse treatment (1983) with waaay too much time on my hands, the worst thing for somebody in recovery. I also had about 15,000 sq. ft. of lawn. I won't bore you with the details, but a seed was planted and away I went. God bless you and your mission.

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  10. Georgie, Your love of life has always been an inspiration!

    Mike, Never bored of hearing anything! We are who we are because of where we have been! As much as I sometimes wish I hadn't gone to work that day in December, I wouldn't be who I am now. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Oh, very nice blog! I love discovering the blogs, like yours, with beautiful flowers and plants, and hearing how others experience their gardens. I had no idea that so many people feel the same way I do in lots of ways, either in the garden, or afterwards, reflecting on what is growing or eating some fresh food.

    I found this post via FB network blogs :)

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