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I’m starting to think October might not have been the best month to begin a gardening project…

Between the busyness of life – my husband working full-time, having a four month old baby and the house being hit by a wave of seasonal colds – it’s been difficult to get out in the garden recently. I’m all too aware that winter is looming, and the ground will start freezing before we know it, making the task of digging up a large patch of lawn rather difficult! 

So, in order to give myself a bit of a kick up the bum, I thought I’d reflect on all the wonderful reasons to get out in the garden – whatever the weather! 

One of my life mottos has always been: you make time for the things you care about. So, maybe reminding myself of the “whys” behind our gardening project will help me make a little more time to get digging again. 

Creating a happy place 

For the last 5 years of living in Bath, I’ve longed for my own outside space. Somewhere I can make my own, a place to sit in the sun with a cup of tea and a good book. Finally, I have this space, and I don’t want to waste it! 

Plus, now with a little one who will grow up in this garden, I’m excited to make memories out there – having tea parties, teaching her how to grow food, and picking and smelling flowers together. 

Right now this does seem like a little bit of a pipe dream – but for now, every bit of digging, clearing and de-weeding is a step closer! 

The pull of a project

I don’t know about you but I thrive off of having an ongoing project. Something positive and productive to fill my spare time with. It’s especially wonderful when it’s a tangible project, something you can see progress with – and gardening is perfect for this. 

I also love finding projects that I can do alongside my husband. Working alongside each other seems to strengthen our relationship, and reminds us what a great team we are (most the time anyway)! 

Happy, healthy soil 

Did you know getting your hands dirty is good for both your mind and body?

The microbes in soil produce serotonin (our happy hormone), and exposure to them makes our gut microbiome more diverse – improving our digestion, immunity and overall health. Definitely a good way to start preparing for the winter and the seasonal colds that seem to spread so easily!

Plus, according to the RHS, “There’s research showing that exposure to soil, especially in early childhood, can improve immune markers and reduce rates of asthma and allergies.” Learning this today gives my fond childhood memories of mud fights in the woods an even greater appreciation. 

A dose of fresh air

I’m really not much of a winter person, and I often find myself feeling quite low during those darker months. As the days get shorter and the cold sets in, I tend to leave the house less and less.

The lack of fresh air and Vitamin D, and a generally gloomy outlook all add to that seasonal downness I feel. I’m hoping that by having a project to focus on – and a garden to love and care for – I’ll find more reasons to get outside this winter and embrace the cold but fresh air. 

Accountability – that’s you!

Now that I’ve started writing about this gardening adventure, it means I actually need to see it through. Honestly, this is one of the reasons I wanted to share this journey.

I hope that you’ll enjoy watching the progress, and hopefully pick up some helpful tips along the way. But I am also a stickler for accountability so, dear readers, please do follow along with this journey, keep me accountable when I start to slip, and share your own advice as I go! 

Well, that was helpful, some reminders to hold on to when the weather’s grey and life’s to-do list is long. What are your gardening motivations? What gets you outside with your hands in the soil? Feel free to just ponder, or let me know – I’d love to hear what inspires you. 

Alternatively, if you haven’t ever embarked on your own gardening journey – what’s holding you back?