Grow Your Own Magazine

I have a lung disorder which means that my gardening activities have had to be shortened. I read gardening books and magazines. I also collect the "Botanic Garden" range of pottery from Portmeirion at car boot sales etc. Also, I have taken up cross-stitching and limited myself to garden related images - plants, etc. All have helped me appreciate gardening more. What else do you do that is garden related that does not take too much effort?

I take photographs of plants, that takes little effort and then you can spend hours on the Computer with something like Photoshop playing about with your pictures.
I used to do Free hand embroidery rather than cross stitch, but my hands are too arthritic these days and even worse my eyes are not up to the fine detail I used to add.

I quilt. Many of the fabrics I use are floral (though not all) and the one I'm working on now even has a few patches that are called 'flower fairies' -aaahhh!

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 30th - Mr Stinky's Excellent Adventure (and a Christmas Cake)

Find a comfortable chair, put it in your garden, make yourself a cup of tea (or glass of wine), sit in chair in sunshine (or shade) and enjoy. Watch what is going on, notice what is doing well and what is not, and see how the local wildlife loves your garden.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Just started the elderflower cordial. Cannot drink alcohol because of medication, but enjoy fruit teas.

Have invested in a 10 MPixel camera and will enjoy catalougeing plants on the computer.

Not into quilts yet, as time taken up on the Thea Gouveneur flower range cross-stitching.

I agree that arthritis does limit some activities and sometimes find it difficult on garden tools. Designers seem to think that on small hardware objects the handles are miniturised as well, whereas ergonomically, a larger handle is required. Have used the Abled Garden Company for some tools and find the long handled hand type forks and spades are great as you don't have to bend down.

Again, thanks for the tips.

Cook Scotti - plan meals using all your garden produce. And 50 ways to use the same thing. And ways to get more and more wildlife into your garden so that you can enjoy them. And sit and relax and draw it. Even if you think you cant draw, you'll be amazed at what you can do. (Tip - a little bit of charcoal does no end of improvement for no more skill) Or paint it - you can take all the artistic licence you want there. But most of all - just enjoy it.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

1. Tea party! Get all your friends over or even people you've just met for a nice cup of tea, cakes and strawberry sandwiches. What could be better in the summer?

2. Picnic. Like the above, but make them bring food and have a giant blanket.

Alice has hit the nail on the head with art. I cannot function without creativity.

Hi Scotti,

If you haven't got one get some friends to help you build a pond - or get one of the pre-formed half-butt kits. It will not only expand the range of plants you can grow but will increase the range of wildlife in you patch as well. And it's a wonderful thing to just sit beside and do nothing!

Terry