Winter activities to help wellbeing

January 24, 2025

A chilly start to the year finds us trying to keep warm in the greenhouse – not easy with the snow, wind and seemingly incessant rain!

The seed sowing begins again in preparation for the season ahead. We are hoping to expand the range of flowers for cutting as well as growing our usual mix of edible and ornamental plants. The addition of two large raised beds from the Pears Walled Garden will provide much needed extra space for growing. This generates both a wider range of activities for patients and a way of generating income for the service through donations made at our annual farm shop.

Winter, particularly January, can be a challenging time for maintaining positive mental health time: gardening activities provide all sorts of ways to support wellbeing. Use them to Connect to others and nature, Be Active, Take Notice, Learn and Give ((See 5 Ways to Wellbeing www.mind.org.uk).

As in all gardens at this time of year, we have a variety of activities which enable us to support patients with their wellbeing. Servicing and sharpening pruning tools is an often overlooked, but essential, good indoor activity. This helps us to prepare for winter pruning of shrubs and roses which in turn generates plenty of material for hardwood cuttings. T Planning and ordering seeds for the garden and then starting to seed sow indoors is always very positive and hopeful, giving a flavour of what’s to come in the year ahead. With green shoots of bulbs emerging in the surrounding garden areas and the slight lengthening of the days, these activities bring a glimpse of Spring and the promise of warmth and colour.

Chives seeds

24/01/2025

Hardwood cuttings

24/01/2025

Secateur serving

24/01/2025

Thyme plants potted up

24/01/2025

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