Now is the winter (spring) of our discontent (lockdown).
Life is tough right now, but a newfound appreciation of the outdoors is one of the boons that seems to be coming out of the British people during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re all baking banana bread inside, and taking it out to the garden to enjoy. And we might consider this lockdown as one big bank holiday, the sacred dates wherein we finally get round to those garden jobs we’ve been meaning to for months.
The weather, as it always is when we have some restrictions in life, is wonderful. And you’ve never had more time on your hands, so get those gloves on and get stuck in.
The myriad benefits of gardening
Few people would argue that spending more time outdoors is good for the soul, but science agrees. Just last year, some forward-thinking doctors started to prescribe it as a natural treatment for anxiety and depression, in an age where we’re glued to screens and stuck to sofas. The concept of ‘green communities’ and ‘green projects’ are being advised more and more as treatments for mild mental health challenges, as they have been used informally the world over for hundreds of years.
But even without the medical mumbo jumbo, the idea of sustainable living and growing our own vegetables will improve wellbeing and encourage the adoption of healthier behaviours. The teamwork involves in allotments and community projects also fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance, coupled with the act of growing something from seed that can feed your family. Plus, it’s good exercise and a dose of Vit D.
In short, get in that garden boys and girls.
But what shall we do?
It’s the perfect time for growing vegetables like carrots, beetroot, cabbage, leeks and onions. Or for the herbologists (yes that’s a word) then chives, rosemary, mint, thyme and dill will be ready a week from planting, if they go in now.
Sticking with flowers, then fuchsias, petunias and pelargoniums are perfect to get going for when summer really kicks in. Coleus is a wonderful spring plant too, which can be cut later on and moved into the home.
Growing onions in my apartment?
OK maybe vegetables are out-of-reach for some of us in towns and cities with limited outdoor space, but that doesn’t mean that the pleasure of growing something green is denied to us. If you’ve got a balcony, or even a windowsill, you have plenty of options.
You’re going to be looking for compact hardy plants, those that can cope with limited sunlight, moisture and space. Think Creeping Jenny, Erigeron, Heather and herbs like Rosemary and Thyme. You can even get tender tomatoes, dwarf chillies and strawberries on the go, if you really want that allotment-on-the-concrete vibe to get going.
Ultimately, anything that gets you outdoors is (in our very humble opinion) going to do you the world of good, in a lockdown scenario or not. We are team green through and through, and we’re here to help you enjoy your gardens even more once we’re allowed to come make them better for you.
Eden Restored is a team of passionate garden designers working throughout London, Kent and Surrey.
We deliver value-for-money on projects of any size, from inner-city courtyards to countryside cottages.
To discuss your ideas and how we can help throughout the entire process, get in touch.