Low maintenance???

I have to confess, I do watch a lot of gardening programmes and some I watch many times over. I loved Big Dreams, Small Spaces where Monty Don coached garden owners some of whom were already experienced gardeners, some who were total beginners, in designing and creating their own gardens. And some of them did it spectacularly. From the couple in Dorset who created a Norwegian landscape complete with mountain stream in a tiny plot for just £4k to the guys in Bath who ended up spending many thousands to create their Japanese inspired garden at their new-build property. The garden started as a total disaster as they discovered a huge problem with drainage, or rather lack of it and ended up having to get the garden dug out to about seven foot down and adding two large soak-aways before adding many tons of topsoil before even starting the fun part. What sets this programme apart is that this is no ordinary make-over show. There's no 'get it all done in a day' and abracadabra you have a garden. These were real people who designed the gardens themselves and built (for the most part) themselves and certainly in he first series, over the best part of a year. And the gardens that were created have been spectacular, unique spaces.

I find myself frequently frustrated at the one day wonder make-over shows. When those who are getting the garden done are asked what they want it invariably consists of 'low maintenance, somewhere to sit and have a glass of wine, and entertainment space or a kids play area. Just for once I wish someone would answer with 'give me plants, I want shit loads of plants'.

I get that people want to use the garden as an outdoor room, but a great deal of pleasure in the garden, comes from the act of gardening. I know mowing the grass can seem like a chore but pottering in the garden has multiple benefits for health and well-being. And you really don't have to make heavy work of it. Some times there is a bit more to work at, late winter/early spring there is plenty to do and it's the best chance to get on top of any weeding (one of the best therapeutic practices there are!), get the old stems cleared away and preparing for the seasons to come, but even just gardening for half an hour brings about tangible benefits. As the seasons progress I find there is less to do. Dense planting cuts down the need to weed as does my philosophy of leaving 'wild' plants in situ until I have something else I want to put into the space. A bit of deadheading to keep the plants looking fresh, but to be honest I find late summer a bit boring as everything is doing its thing and as long as I have staked the 'leaners' early enough, there really is not much else for me to do other than fill the gaps and pull out any annuals that have gone over. Most of what I do at this time of year is plan and note down the changes I'm going to make for next year. The greenhouse is all but empty save for a couple of seed trays with biennials and those plants who grow best from fresh seed. The hedge cutting is the major chore here and that's because I choose to cut it with hand sheers which are pretty hard going on my shoulder, so I do it over a few days. Its not my favourite task, but there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction when its finished. And that's the thing about gardening. Everything you do has an impact on the garden, but it needn't be heavy weather in fact getting into a bit of garden maintenance is good for the body and mind, and there's nothing stopping you from having your wee seating area for your glass of wine or cuppa to reflect and appreciate both the garden and the sense of wellbeing that you get from being out in the fresh air while learning more about plants that you can fill your garden with next year!