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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2007 10:29:12 GMT
Just wondering what you all consider to be the greatest benefits of gardening? Is it the fresh air? The benefit to local insects? Keeps you active? Any opinions...?
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Post by Jonah on Sept 27, 2007 11:53:21 GMT
All of the above, plus the most important one for me which is trying to keep my sanity! Just to be able to escape outside for a while and tend the garden, watch the wildlife, see how things are growing and plan any changes is my little refuge. It's the only time I can have any solitude, unless the little horrors are tagging along!  Probably why I've been a right grouch this year, just haven't got out there enough. It's falling apart at the seams, a bit like me! ;D  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2007 12:39:36 GMT
Heavens, where does one start? Like Jonah said, it's a refuge - sometimes, when work has been really difficult, I just go and sit in the garden and stare around me, not really doing anything. Gardening itself is fun - especially propagation - and it's great to keep planning for the future. When something works out it's a buzz. And I like the feeling of having created this small patch of nature in the inner city and ... and ... and ;D
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Post by Barbara on Sept 27, 2007 15:39:56 GMT
i'm a chilminder, and when the little darlings have all gone home for the day, i go and dig, or prune or turn compost, just to feel, like i'm in charge ;D and my mum was a gardener, and i feel close to her when i'm out there. and the wild life, and the colour, and the peace and the beauty of nature.  |
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Post by Weeterrier on Sept 27, 2007 16:13:14 GMT
Being outside, seeing the real wonder of nature, plant or animal, having something always to look forward to, always having something to do. Fun, excitement , anticipation, joy, peace, physical exhaustion, satisfaction...................................................................................
Without gardening, I don't know how I would cope.
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 28, 2007 18:48:36 GMT
I love the feel and smell of the soil, hate to wear gloves. The satisfaction of seeing something I planted come to life and flourish is fantastic. Best of all I like to potter here and there in my small garden and do little bits at a time. I grew tomatoes from seed this year and it's been amazing how much I've loved every moment of their growth. Did'nt have any blight thankfully and I'm still picking. Really has inspired me. happy gardening
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2007 19:18:27 GMT
I'd agree with all of the above. I work in a horribly hot stuffy office with no air con. I just love getting out in the fresh air and feeling a bit of sun on my back, especially when it's not too hot ;D
I also find it very theraputic after spending my time dealing with obnoxious accountants and taxpayers swearing at me and threatening me to just get out and get my hands dirty. It sounds silly but I love to have my hands in the earth.
I also love the benefit of being able to grow something healthy and good for you and to be able to pick and eat it knowing that there's no pesticide or preservatives involved.
I also love having the opportunity to teach my children about seeds and plants and it's great to be able to plant things with them and then watch as they grow.
FA x
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Post by snowowl on Sept 28, 2007 20:24:08 GMT
Just wondering what you all consider to be the greatest benefits of gardening? Is it the fresh air? The benefit to local insects? Keeps you active? Any opinions...? Three words Sanity. |
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Post by jean on Sept 28, 2007 20:53:26 GMT
Just wondering what you all consider to be the greatest benefits of gardening? Is it the fresh air? The benefit to local insects? Keeps you active? Any opinions...? Three words Sanity. Definitely Snowowl ;D It comes from the peace and serenity of something created that is very personal, in quiet moments when the rest of the changing world seems to be out of control. And then again I just like getting my hands in the soil ;D |
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 29, 2007 7:11:01 GMT
Oo, what a big question! And I have to say that Gardening is EVERYTHING to me - I have loved and needed it most of my life (apart from a brief period in my adolescence :  ! It means creativity, serenity, the chance to think abut things, the joy of helping beautiful things grow and the essential sense of doing something simple, natural and above all useful in a mad world. I have spent most of my adult life trying to get things down to their simplest and purest, to cut out the modern crappy clutter of life. It's a physical challenge and a constant wrestle with equipment ;D these days but it's a total joy too. I passionately believe that we should all strive less and watch more, and all of us should try and pass that on to the next generation. I know it's a massive simplification but if we all had less frenzy and competitiveness in our lives, then the world would be in much less of a mess and most of us would be a lot happier........sorry to go on! I seem to get more and more evangelical about it the older I get! |
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Post by Shrubrose on Sept 29, 2007 7:42:11 GMT
You've said what I feel 4P, and so much more eloquently than I could. 'Strive less and watch more'. Should be the motto for the 21st century shouldn't it? The more 'they' try to get at me, the more I retreat into my garden. It's balm for my soul.
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Post by Jardack on Sept 29, 2007 18:46:36 GMT
I also find it very theraputic after spending my time dealing with obnoxious accountants FA x 'Ere you! Not all accountants are obnoxious! Jardack |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2007 19:38:39 GMT
'Ere you! Not all accountants are obnoxious! Jardack I know. In fact some are very good and lovely to deal with. Unfortunately, when you're doing tax enquiries into their clients and you find something wrong in the accounts, they do seem to become obnoxious quite quickly ! FA x |
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Post by Jardack on Sept 30, 2007 18:49:54 GMT
lol Does that mean you work for the dreaded HMR&C then? OF course we're obnoxious when you're looking into our clients books, we *never* make mistakes do we  ;D Actually I have only ever had VAT inspections on my clients and most of the Inspectors were really nice - so maybe I am just lucky... Jardack |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2007 19:13:38 GMT
lol Does that mean you work for the dreaded HMR&C then? OF course we're obnoxious when you're looking into our clients books, we *never* make mistakes do we ;D Actually I have only ever had VAT inspections on my clients and most of the Inspectors were really nice - so maybe I am just lucky... Jardack Yes, I do enquiries into SA Returns of individuals and partnerships with turnover up to about £1m. FA x |
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Post by Barbara on Sept 30, 2007 19:23:23 GMT
my accountant is lovely,
he saves me money,
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Post by Tig on Oct 1, 2007 22:43:09 GMT
I just love being out in the fresh air, even if it's raining, getting muddy, losing myself in the sheer joy of what nature can deliver without much help from people! And nothing in my garden moans at me (apart from the cat, occasionally!)
I haven't got enough dosh to need an accountant - but if ever I win the lottery (dream on?)
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Post by borderbabe on Oct 4, 2007 13:26:04 GMT
Getting away from the OH!! - not really he's done the shopping for me this week as he's having a week off - I dont have to face the supermarket! - Its being able to be out in the air after working in an office all week - garden or lottie I dont mind either. I also feel very chuffed with myself when some thing that starts off as a little unpromising looking seed or cutting turns into the plant/veg/fruit you hoped for - I think we all need a big placard that says "I grew this myself" to put next to our precious gems. I dont even mind if it rains - I adjourn to the greenhouse or garage to pot up or sort out. Then there's the joy of going through the catalogues - glass in hand and dreaming of next spring.  |
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Post by Barbara on Oct 4, 2007 18:28:52 GMT
I just love being out in the fresh air, even if it's raining, getting muddy, losing myself in the sheer joy of what nature can deliver without much help from people! And nothing in my garden moans at me (apart from the cat, occasionally!) I haven't got enough dosh to need an accountant - but if ever I win the lottery (dream on?) i'm a chilminder and have to do my tax returns, they get me sooooo worked up it makes me ill, so i pay some-one else to do it |
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Post by Pip on Oct 6, 2007 10:21:59 GMT
Gardening for me is a retreat into my own little world where I can forget the boring little tasks of life. I love my family but I get more pleasure out of watching something grow than washing up.
Pip
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! It means
