Physiotherapeutic, for me.
I originally took up gardening as a hobby, rather than a chore, when I had to leave paid employment to become my disabled wife's carer.
My work had always involved a manual component, (often very heavy) and I needed a passtime which would give me some exercise, but would allow me to be close by if she needs me.
I get far more from it than that though.
There's the pleasure of beautiful flowers, the eating of tasty, wholesome food untouched by pesticides etc.
There's the smile on my elderly neighbour's face when I give her a spare marrow, or a few sticks of rhubarb.
There's watching the bees coming and going, searching for the perfect flower to deliver their sweet treat, before heading off to deposit it at home, and start again.
There's sitting in my greenhouse at 5am on a chilly spring morning, with my first cuppa of the day, and no sound other than birdsong.
There's plums so sweet that a supermarket wouldn't know what to do with them.
Tomatoes, soft but firm, with a full flavour, picked ripe from the vine, and no relation to the red waterchestnuts on sale at tesco.
There's that hushed pop that comes from a peapod bursting open to reveal its juicy contents.
Chilli plants; so beautiful in flower, and the hot, fruity spice so delicious.
The greenery: it filters and purifies the air for us.
Thank you so much, my garden, for giving me all this and more.
