Learnings from the garden.
As summer begins its draw to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned this year as a very amateur gardener. Last year felt abundant; beef tomatoes, courgettes, cherry tomatoes, rainbow chard and endless strawberries. And with a few failed attempts at other edibles, I still clung onto the wins that weighed down my trug. This year however, has felt like one failure after another. In fact, I totally gave up on growing fruit and veg altogether. After multiple sowings, money spent and a losing battle with pests, cats and squirrels, I sacked it all off. The lightness of my trug this year has weighed me down. But in the spirit of patience, resilience and a devotion to nature - I’m trying to see things from a positive lens. That being said, these are the things my garden has taught me this year, so far.
Flowers aren’t to be forgotten
Growing edibles is exciting. But growing flowers, whether for cutting or outdoor admiration, is just as fulfilling. Knowing your annuals from your perennials; your herbaceous plants from your deciduous ones; is important for understanding our gardens. And there is immeasurable pleasure from arranging a posy with flowers cut from your own beds. Japanese Anemone, Hydrangea, Erigeron, Heleniums and Sweet Peas where among my favourites this year. I’m not suggesting that I’ll stop growing edibles entirely. But perhaps - by some sort of divine intervention - this year, my garden taught me that flowers aren’t to be forgotten.
Don’t be intimidated by propagation
This year I added two varieties of Sedum to my raised borders; Purple Emperor and Autumn Joy. When young, they can be quite fragile, which is why I wasn’t surprised that soon after planting out, a stem had been broken. But rather than throw it on the compost, I wondered if there was any chance of saving it. It turns out, that Sedums are in fact great plants for propagating. Admittedly, I had low expectations - but I popped the stem in a jar of water, waited, and low and behold, roots! Now I’ve got myself a whole new Sedum plant that I will pot on and keep in my greenhouse over winter, ready for planting out next spring. Propagation feels like a process saved for seasoned horticulturalists. But this year I’ve learned there’s nothing to lose in trying. The satisfaction from growing a new, free plant is great.
Stop and smell the roses
Whether it’s pulling out weeds or wrestling with soil, potting something up or planting something out, there’s always something to do in the garden. But rarely do us gardeners truly stop to smell the roses. To hear the birdsong. To be still. Until this year, I only saw my garden as a thing to garden. A list of jobs that needed to be done. I told myself that the enjoyment was gotten from the doing. But after a few self-enforced lunches al fresco, I quickly discovered the joy in simply doing nothing. In relishing in nature. If you’re like me and aren’t the type to sit still for too long - give it a go. Boil the kettle. Make a brew. Slow down.
