Nigel Slater's Major Endeavor for This Year
In the heart of a bustling urban landscape, a gardener embarks on a new season with a fresh perspective. This year, the gardener aims to introduce a touch of spontaneity into the garden design, a departure from the meticulous planning that has characterised past endeavours.
The winter garden, devoid of its lush foliage, provides the perfect backdrop for the gardener to make brave decisions. Overgrown trees are being felled, making way for new growth, while the bed that has been overrun by woodruff is set to be tackled.
During the garden's rest period, the gardener likes to draw up a wish-list, dreaming of new additions to the garden. This year, plans to replace the unhappy Clematis armandi with a thriving plant for its location at the bottom of the garden are underway. The plants the gardener fell in love with at RHS Chelsea two years ago may finally be planted this year.
However, the gardener's diary has been turned upside down due to unexpected requests from contractors to bring the plan forward. Amidst the chaos, the gardener questions their over-planning and considers letting things happen more spontaneously this year.
The unplanned-for events have brought almost as much pleasure as the carefully considered ideas. An impulse purchase of deep burgundy hellebores, for instance, was a stunning success in window boxes. The gardener has mysteriously grown to love an unplanned, screaming pink rhododendron (previously identified as 'Cunningham's White').
Spontaneity in gardening affects plant placement and overall garden design by encouraging flexible, natural, and adaptive approaches rather than rigid planning. This approach leads to more organic arrangements that mimic natural ecosystems rather than formal layouts. The concept is closely related to naturalistic or wild gardens, where planting is less controlled and more intuitive, often using native or locally adapted plants that thrive with minimal intervention.
Such gardens offer numerous benefits. They promote environmental sustainability by using local plants and minimal mechanical intervention, thereby reducing resource use and ecological footprint. They also foster increased mental well-being, providing a natural, less controlled environment that supports relaxation, mindfulness, and emotional connection to nature, reducing stress and promoting mental health.
Moreover, spontaneous gardening activities encourage inclusive participation and shared stewardship, fostering mental stimulation and social inclusion, helping prevent isolation, and strengthening community bonds.
In summary, spontaneity in gardening promotes a responsive, evolving design that aligns with natural processes and human rhythms, offering ecological, psychological, and social benefits while enhancing the beauty and sustainability of garden spaces.
Despite the challenges, the gardener remains optimistic about the upcoming season. The gardener carefully considers each plant, pot, and equipment before purchase, taking time to mull things over, consider options, and weigh up situations. Unforeseen jobs may be discovered during major construction work, such as the remnants of an irrigation system or disused garden lighting.
In a small urban space, resurfacing paths and terraces is an extensive job that often involves major construction. The gardener plans to replace the gravel paths with reclaimed stone, adding a touch of charm to the garden.
As the gardener prepares for the new season, the question remains: will the garden continue to be a testament to meticulous planning, or will it evolve into a more spontaneous, natural space? Only time will tell.
References: [1] The Guardian. (2020). The joy of spontaneous gardening: a new way to grow. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/apr/05/the-joy-of-spontaneous-gardening-a-new-way-to-grow [2] RHS. (2021). Naturalistic planting. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=465 [3] Horticulture Week. (2019). The mental health benefits of gardening. [online] Available at: https://www.hortweek.com/features/the-mental-health-benefits-of-gardening/7027879.article [4] The Conversation. (2018). The healing power of gardening: how green spaces can help mental health. [online] Available at: https://theconversation.com/the-healing-power-of-gardening-how-green-spaces-can-help-mental-health-100601
The gardener, inspired by the concept of spontaneity, plans to introduce more natural arrangements in the garden this season, incorporating local plants and a flexible design that mimics ecosystems. The unplanned purchase of deep burgundy hellebores and the found pleasure in an unexpected screaming pink rhododendron are testaments to this approach. By embracing spontaneity, the gardener aims to foster mental well-being, promote sustainability, and strengthen community bonds. However, the gardener will still approach each purchase thoughtfully, considering options and weighing up situations, as they prepare for the new season.
