With the Chelsea Garden show closed for another year I recall that not so long ago I was less than excited at the prospect of spending an entire day looking at garden 'stuff'. But since my gardening knowledge has increased 100-fold (easy when you start from practically zilch), the garden show is somewhat to my taste these days.
Inspired by the BBC article linked at the end of this blog, here are a few things I have learnt about gardening (which may or may not attract young people to this pastime)...!
Eco-merits - a garden full of plants soaks up rainfall and water run off (flood prevention), helps sustain local wildlife (feeding bees, butterflies and birds etc) and are, of course, a critical element in the photosynthesis process. A compost system recycles organic waste and rewards your anti-landfill efforts with home-grown food for your garden.
Privacy plants - many homes have windows opening onto or close to the street so a carefully placed house plant (large or small) can act as a cheap, natural visual barrier between your home and joe-public beyond.
Clean air - some plants have super air cleaning properties such as spider plants, (Chlorophytum Comosum), which are great near road-facing windows because of their carbon monoxide appetite, and Peace Lillies, (Spathiphyllum Wallisii), which should be kept away from tech due to their air pollution appetite (waste particles will fall in the area surrounding the plant).
Cheap food - very little space is needed to grow tomatoes, berries and leafy salad accompaniments. If your window sills do not offer enough space to fulfil your appetite you can bur 'balcony-size' grow-bags from most garden centres and hardware stores. This is an easy way to make the grocery budget stretch a little farther.
Sense of responsibility - this is targeted more to the very young people, Misses and Masters. My Miss and Master have their own plants to attend to this summer (tomatoes for Master, Strawberries for Miss and a range of berries to share). Miss and Master take great pleasure in tending these plants, remarking on growth and enjoying the fruits of their labour (excuse the pun).
Decorations - whether it be seasonable bulbs or a more permanent flowering display, this is an easy way to scent the air, soften the decor and supplement the ambiance of your home.
Happy house-greening!
BBC - Chelsea Garden Show: Getting youths into gardening
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