The benefits of spending time outdoors are numerous and range from improving your mood and reducing feelings of stress or anger, to improving physical health, self-confidence, and even self-esteem.
Vyvian White, director of Enniskerry-based Lotus Landscape Design, is a firm believer in gardening for a healthy mind and body, and whether you are a complete novice in the garden, or trying to tempt bored kids outside, he says there is a garden project for everybody.
1. Get physical
"Think of the garden as the gym. Get out and get stuck into some maintenance tasks you have been putting off," says White. Heavy landscaping such as moving rocks or hauling soil or even mowing the lawn, can burn serious calories per hour. "If you’re not sure what exactly you should be doing at this time of year, the RHSI.ie website provides tips on what needs to be done in the garden each month."
2. Be creative
"A lot of shops may be closed, but chances are you already have everything you need to get planting," White says. Raised beds can be made from old wood such as planks, crates or pieces of scaffolding, using just a handsaw. Old tyres also make good planters if space is limited.
"Pick up some packets of seeds at your local supermarket, or specialist shops - MrMiddleton.ie, Johnstowngardencentre.ie and Horkans.ie are still accepting online orders for delivery (at time of writing)" he adds.
"Strawberries and runner beans are two plants that are not fussy about where they grow too – a hanging basket, a bucket or even old wellies will do the job. Fill with soil from the garden and mix in some peat-free compost."
3. Grow your own
Kids big and small are spurred on by fast results: "From sewing to harvest, cress takes just 5-7 days so it’s a great one to start small kids off with," says White. "Radishes grow in 12-15 days, although they don’t like to eat those!" Also consider plants that yield a maximum crop for minimum effort. "Beans, like mange tout and broad beans will produce beans for you for several weeks," he adds.
4. Get competitive
"Make garden projects competitive for older kids – like who can grow the tallest sunflower. Now is also a good time for starting pumpkins to be ready for Halloween," says White.
5. Nurture wildlife
"Nurture wildlife in the garden if you can," says White. "Feed the bees by planting a wildflower patch if you have some space. Start a bird-table, or feeding space and encourage kids to leave out twigs and feathers to help birds build their nests. Kids also get a real buzz from making 'fat balls’ for the birds - leftover grease mixed with bread scraps!"
