I got into gardening when I was forced to retire early due to ill health. I was 48 and found myself with lots of time on my hands and confined to the house/garden.
Gradually I became more and more interested in the garden as, for about 8 months of the year, that's where I would spend my days and, at the best of the season, my evenings.
I don't have a large garden, about 12 x 10 metres at the front and 20 x 10 metres at the back, but it's enough to keep me occupied full time as everything takes me so long to do!
I think it is wonderful how gardening can become therapeutic for the body and mind. Perhaps the NHS should consider giving a dose of gardening out on prescription along with some free seeds and a trowel!
I have found it very relaxing and also found my patience has improved and once out there don't stress about time and getting things done - sometimes don't even get to the task I had planned to do, catch sight of something en-route that needs attention and suddenly 3 hours are gone by.
Can't think of a better place to spend your day - and evenings.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Retirement wasn't a lifestyle choice. I had to retire due to a serious and very debilitating heart condition. I was only 48 so certainly didn't want to give up work at that stage of my life.
As regards hobbies, I had to give mine up as I could no longer, physically, carry them out; keen golfer, keen fisherman, owner and maintainer of classic MG.
I didn't take up gardening to relieve boredom or to keep me out of the pub. I took up gardening because it's one of the few things I can do, all be it gently, in my state of health.
I would much rather be working, playing golf, fishing, looking after my MG and doing the garden instead of only been able to do the garden.
To some people retirement is a forced state not a lifestyle choice.
Just to clarify. My MG was awarded concourse status by the MG Owners Club, for insurance purposes. Despite this, during the summer months, I regularly drove it. The amount of work and dedication required to maintain a car in this condition is huge! In addition to the work required, I can no longer drive, classics or otherwise, because of the medication I need to take every day. Just to reiterate, my circumstances are not a lifestyle choice! I do not moan about it, I do not feel sorry for myself and I do not seek sympathy.
I posted on this thread because I thought it was about people telling others what got them into gardening. Not a vehicle for someone to dispense barrack room advice regarding what they should or shouldn't be doing in their private lives.
Are you really qualified to tell people what activities are better for them to be doing with a heart condition? Especially when you don't know what the condition is?
I got into it when my OH bought his first house. He wasn't into plants and I lived in a flat and just grew a few things on a balcony. Fast forward 15 years and while we are not gardenaholics, we enjoy growing some of our own, planting, propagating and watching what grows and flowers.
I'm sad that you are unable to do the things you loved doing. I admire the fact that you have tried to adjust and now spend in your garden I can't image what I would feel like were I in your situation. Best wishes.
A hello from me too potteringabout,sorry I didn't say hi sooner.
I totally agree with KEF,it sounds to me like you're doing just fine in your gardening. I don't claim to be an expert by any means,but I would say as long as you are getting enjoyment from it,that's all that counts. Because after all,isn't that what gardening is about?
Posts
I got into gardening when I was forced to retire early due to ill health. I was 48 and found myself with lots of time on my hands and confined to the house/garden.
Gradually I became more and more interested in the garden as, for about 8 months of the year, that's where I would spend my days and, at the best of the season, my evenings.
I don't have a large garden, about 12 x 10 metres at the front and 20 x 10 metres at the back, but it's enough to keep me occupied full time as everything takes me so long to do!
I think it is wonderful how gardening can become therapeutic for the body and mind. Perhaps the NHS should consider giving a dose of gardening out on prescription along with some free seeds and a trowel!
I have found it very relaxing and also found my patience has improved and once out there don't stress about time and getting things done - sometimes don't even get to the task I had planned to do, catch sight of something en-route that needs attention and suddenly 3 hours are gone by.
Can't think of a better place to spend your day - and evenings.
Hi Smoking Donkey,
Retirement wasn't a lifestyle choice. I had to retire due to a serious and very debilitating heart condition. I was only 48 so certainly didn't want to give up work at that stage of my life.
As regards hobbies, I had to give mine up as I could no longer, physically, carry them out; keen golfer, keen fisherman, owner and maintainer of classic MG.
I didn't take up gardening to relieve boredom or to keep me out of the pub. I took up gardening because it's one of the few things I can do, all be it gently, in my state of health.
I would much rather be working, playing golf, fishing, looking after my MG and doing the garden instead of only been able to do the garden.
To some people retirement is a forced state not a lifestyle choice.
Smoking Donkey,
Just to clarify. My MG was awarded concourse status by the MG Owners Club, for insurance purposes. Despite this, during the summer months, I regularly drove it. The amount of work and dedication required to maintain a car in this condition is huge! In addition to the work required, I can no longer drive, classics or otherwise, because of the medication I need to take every day. Just to reiterate, my circumstances are not a lifestyle choice! I do not moan about it, I do not feel sorry for myself and I do not seek sympathy.
I posted on this thread because I thought it was about people telling others what got them into gardening. Not a vehicle for someone to dispense barrack room advice regarding what they should or shouldn't be doing in their private lives.
Are you really qualified to tell people what activities are better for them to be doing with a heart condition? Especially when you don't know what the condition is?
I got into it when my OH bought his first house. He wasn't into plants and I lived in a flat and just grew a few things on a balcony. Fast forward 15 years and while we are not gardenaholics, we enjoy growing some of our own, planting, propagating and watching what grows and flowers.
Hi potteringabout nice to meet you
I'm sad that you are unable to do the things you loved doing. I admire the fact that you have tried to adjust and now spend in your garden
I can't image what I would feel like were I in your situation. Best wishes.
A hello from me too potteringabout,sorry I didn't say hi sooner.
I totally agree with KEF,it sounds to me like you're doing just fine in your gardening. I don't claim to be an expert by any means,but I would say as long as you are getting enjoyment from it,that's all that counts. Because after all,isn't that what gardening is about?
philippa best get your tin hat on for later
x
Philippa - you have PM
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.