IT seems to be common knowledge these days that gardens and gardening are good for our health. Green spaces give off oxygen, stimulate our immune systems and introduce calm and tranquility into our busy lives. But what about garden groups? It may be surprising to know that not everyone who joins a garden group actually has a garden! You can get all the benefits for your health by simply looking at, admiring or just sitting in any beautifully tailored green space
Some of the members of Wharfedale Gardener’s Group have magnificent gardens: large spaces, mature trees, burgeoning vegetable plots, an abundance of colourful blooms and luxurious arbours. But what about those of us who don’t have that luxury? We too can appreciate all things green and growing and enjoy simply admiring, pondering and wandering through beautiful landscapes provided by our local councils, the corners of towns and villages kept beautiful by Britain in Bloom groups or even admiring a neighbour’s plot. And not every garden has to be enormous. A small patio area, a few pots, a balcony or window box is sufficient to bring an immense amount of wellbeing
To enjoy the skills of expert gardeners we can visit the National Trust, English Heritage or private estates with their beautiful manicured lawns and dense woodland areas. The Open Garden Scheme (the Yellow Book) offers all shapes and size of gardens to explore from tiny patio back gardens to steep hillside plots to lush tropical oases. If you are in the mood to shop, garden centres have a plethora of seasonal plants to delight your senses and perhaps the odd purchase or two might fill a front doorstep container to welcome visitors
If this has tempted you to join a group you can look forward to talks by experts, demonstrations packed with ideas you can take at home. The illustrated talks encourage us to appreciate plants and all growing things. Some of the experts are horticulturalists, botanists, expert nursery and specialist growers or are plant hunters searching for rare and precious species. Our local nurseries play a part and often bring a range of plants for sale, there really is something for everyone. So why not join your local garden group, fill the cold dark winter evenings with colour, learning, and entertainment by meeting up with some like-minded garden lovers? Your health will thank you for it!
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