Hobbies during lockdown: Gardening anyone?

[NaturesMantra]

I'm not a gardener, but I found myself taking more pride in having nice cheap and cheerful plants for the garden. I also found myself checking if the seeds sprouted up. I do this to save myself from getting depressed about things I cannot change, like Dominic Cummings flouting the laws, and seems like gardening actually helps.

Has any of you been doing something similar? Have you learned a new hobby to keep your sanity?

Oh gardening me too! Our garden was awful, very very boring with a couple of trees and a few plants. I did the 'gardening' because someone had to - DH cut the grass when I told him to. That was it. I have had a week off and I have transformed it. I bought a fork and a sieve and I have sieved all the soil, planted bedding plants, tied up all the blackberry canes, planted seeds, potatoes and it looks amazing. I am now upset that I haven't got anything more I can do with it for the moment. But I think I might well keep this up! I think part of the problem was that on the weekend we would be off 'doing' stuff so I never had time to do it - I am now used to spending more time at home and will make an effort when all this is over. I hope so anyway!

I have been growing vegetables as our local community garden dropped round some seeds and grow bags (for the kids). I also took up cycling until I fell off and broke my elbow so now it's just me and my plants, I check on them more than is probably necessary

I always gardened quite a bit but this year I've been obsessive. It really makes you feel better.

I've been a keen gardener ever since we moved to this house, and gardening has helped me get through some tough times. I find it's very good for mindfulness. Since lockdown started, I've given the garden far more time than I usually would (and I'd usually give it quite a lot) and it's looking the best it has done for ages. I also found some very old packets of seed in the shed and have got a surprising number of new plants from that. It really has been my salvation.

Yes I am much more into gardening. The weather may be helping though

I love gardening! My back garden is my pride and joy, front garden always looks smart too but as I've had so much more time and run out of space in the back I've planted lots of containers in the front and actually sit in there now as it's so quiet. I love it. Have grown loads from seed at start of lockdown as wasn't sure if we would be able to buy plants then with garden centres closed. I generally prefer not to do this as I like to get away at weekends and don't usually have time, but it certainly has kept me busy

Also baked sourdough. I wouldn't normally invest the time in that either, having done it successfully I'm now over that obsession too...

Yes been gardening too - we moved in a couple of years ago and the garden is fairly big and very mature so there is lots to do. I have managed to get quite a lot done (also painting fences) and now that green waste is being collected and the tip open it is much easier. It has mainly been trying to get the shrubs (and ivy) under control.

@ACauliflowerAndARose @panicstationsready @Clemmieandareallybigbunfight @FromIbizaToTheNorfolkMaud @Bunnybigears thank you for sharing! It really does uplift your mood, doesn’t it!

I love growing plants from seed, you normally can’t get moved in my greenhouse which incidentally is my pride and joy. All I have at the moment are a few bedding plants still to be planted wherever there is a space and 8 tomato plants. Tomorrow I’m going to find some cucumber, chilli and pepper plants because the greenhouse looks so empty. I agree it is very calming and the inside of a greenhouse is always warm at this time of year.

I really want one of those massive gnomes from Asda.

I think lockdown has sent me a little loopy

It certainly does! There's something in soil that alters brain chemistry and lifts mood, apparently, but I can't immediately find the recent article that discusses this.

I've been cutting back the overgrown shrubs and trees, never had the time or weather before. Massive job and so satisfying, it's kept me sane.

I'm with the above op renovation property large mature gardens - for mature read neglected- I've found a new love for pruning aka hacking laurels back