Slow gardening is believed to have emerged in the 1980s with inspiration from the slow food movement (founded in Italy by Carlo Petrini). It’s also a book available for purchase by Mississippi gardener Felder Rushing. As his name suggests, he promotes a simple, stress-free approach to gardening through his radio programs and published work.
Approaching a new garden can be tempting to want all the elements at once, as garden makeovers demonstrate. But our love of speed usually comes at the expense of the environment. Fast gardening is no exception.
Our appetite for full-grown plants means gallons of manure, destruction of peatlands for compost, and soaring emissions from heated greenhouses and transportation. On the other hand, Monty Don writes:
To Andrew Timothy O’Brien, writer, podcaster, and garden coach (author of new book) stand and stare.How to garden without doing anything (Announced in February) The pitfalls of our fast-paced life are obvious to everyone.
“I’m sorry, but it’s a disease. It’s the discomfort of our minds, our bodies, and the society as a whole that we’re seeing right now. We weren’t meant to live in isolation from the natural world, but Modern life has squeezed the experience of nature into the tiny pockets we consider optional leisure activities.It’s not the way to live.The proof is in every classroom, doctor’s waiting room, and the gloss of social media. You can see it on the other side of the screen with
his new book doesn’t say much about what he does conduct in the garden, but how Become.
“There is a lot to be said for incorporating quiet time into each day where we are curious, appreciative, joyful, and do not feel the need to have opinions or answers. I’m sure everyone will be much happier.”
6 Ways to Join the Slow Gardening Movement
1. Adopt a Mindful Mindset
“Mindful gardening. By its very nature. It’s the practice of being in the garden, observing your surroundings, and focusing on the task at hand. Doing this automatically calms us down and calms our hectic minds.” can help you physically slow down,” says Lucy Spree.
The self-confessed plant addict found a mindful approach very beneficial to her mental health. It suggests that slowing down and having fun instead of falling into pilot mode can have a positive effect on your mood.
“I can honestly say that the benefits I’ve felt from taking a more careful approach to gardening have been immeasurable. For 24 years I’ve struggled with mental health on and off. A good gardening session lifts my mood and somehow I always feel lighter at the end of it.
2. Engage your senses
Don’t be drawn solely to plants that look good on Instagram. Consider scents (lavender, thyme, sweet pea, etc.), sounds (swaying grass), flavors (herbs, fruits, vegetables, edible flowers) and different textures (ferns for shade, succulents for sun). please look. Create a feast to satisfy all the senses and give yourself time to absorb it all.
Karl TapalesGetty Images
For Spry, this kind of immersion in nature is definitely uplifting. “Being fully present in the garden and experiencing all the sights, sounds and smells it has to offer helps me break down negative thought patterns that bring me down. It gives me time, and it’s so comforting to know that no matter how bad I feel, my garden and the plants in it will continue to do their job.”
Read everything you need to know to create a sensory garden here.
3. Reap what you sow
As soon as I sow the seeds, my heart melts, and no matter how exciting the new packaging is, there’s a sense of satisfaction in seeing sprouts that store-bought plants don’t give. If you’ve noticed that, gardening can help, too, says Spry.
“Gardening also teaches us patience, which I think is especially important in this day and age. Society dictates that we must keep moving at a light pace. Everything is tuned to be faster, with amenities at your fingertips at the touch of a button, but nature has its own timeline: Seeds germinate and plants grow at different times. And when it is ready, the flowers bloom and the trees grow slowly.
Image by Chris WindsorGetty Images
4. Put away your power tools
An obvious and effective way to slow down in the garden is to forgo motorized garden gadgets and opt for hand tools instead. Country life The gardening collection includes rakes, trowels, forks, spades, bulb planters and other essential tools every gardener should have in their shed. And I’m happy to hear that they’re all plastic-free. Browse your selection here.
5. Use what you have
Make a list of what you need, go to your closet and think creatively about how you can meet those needs with what you already have. Some say it’s best to reuse plastic as much as possible. From making bird feeders to fun herb gardens, there are many ways to reuse and reuse plastic in your garden.
Etienne riverGetty Images
6. Learn to love weed
While some people consider weeding to be meditative, O’Brien says that leaving it on the ground is equally relaxing and beneficial. Any more input to stop them from dying? This is what many of us were brought up to understand gardening, but when you ask it, it’s a little silly, isn’t it?
“I’m not saying our gardens are full of weeds, but when choosing more showy plants at the garden center, we can learn from what grows naturally in our gardens. We can relax a little about dandelions, after all, the lawn is loved by the pollinating insects that keep us alive.”
Instead of rushing to buy new plants, slow gardeners take the time to figure out their plots, noting where the light gets, where the rain collects, and the condition of the soil. The approach isn’t easy, but it’s worth pursuing (at your own pace). “It’s really hard to slow down, because it’s the exact opposite of the busy, busy culture that wears eye bags as a kind of badge of honor. But on the doorstep, you feel yourself a part of nature.” It’s worth sticking with because it’s really important to your life, all you need is time for your morning cup of tea.”
Read Adam Frost’s slow gardening advice here.