5 April 2024

Gardening - lots of rotten tomatoes

What images does the word ‘gardening’ evoke for you? It’s a catch-all for tending a few indoor plants to running a large productive community patch. 

For many, gardening is strongly associated with all sorts of positive images and benefits. Sure, not everyone is into gardening.¹ But for those who are, it is a completely GOOD THING. 

Gardening is enjoyable, fun, healthy, and good for mental wellbeing for all ages, according to - well - everyone. 

A google search of 'gardening' will give you articles like Gardening makes you happier, Physical and mental benefits of gardening, A fun hobby that makes you healthier, Gardening improves emotional wellbeing, and more! 

When I searched 'gardening + emotions', I found a blog article that lists satisfaction, peace, joy, patience, adventure as the five emotions² that gardening brings out in you.   

But that's not my experience at all. I often find gardening to be anything but enjoyable. I often feel anxious, frustrated, incompetent, burdened and guilty. Am I doing something wrong? Or have we just been sold half the story?