RHS Gardening for Mindfulness

by Holly Farrell, Royal Horticultural Society

'The perfect book for keen gardeners, devotees of mindfulness, or simply those looking for calm in a busy world.' - The GardenGardening, like mindfulness, is a way of finding a sense of calm in an otherwise chaotic world, a simpler existence, even if it is only for a few minutes. Both forge a connection to the world around us, to nature and wildlife, which can bring pleasure and peace. In this beautifully illustrated guide to gardening for mindfulness, horticulturalist and mindfulness practitioner Holly Farrell provides a blueprint for a more contemplative way to garden, including projects, meditations and inspiration.Projects for the mindful gardener, including growing something from seed, planting a tree and creating a mandala, put the theory of mindfulness into practice, while plant lists and design ideas aim to enhance mindfulness in the garden through the senses. Beautifully packaged and easy to follow, this is the perfect book for keen gardeners, devotees of mindfulness, or simply those looking for calm in a busy and hectic world.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2017

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and beautiful book and it will help you to slow down and appreciate your garden - however large or small. It shows you how to focus on what you are doing and to really be involved in the practical tasks of creating and maintaining a garden. It is full of marvellous photographs as well as inspirational quotations from well known and not so well known writers.

Mindfulness is about living in the present and gardening is an ideal activity to learn how to really live in the present rather than worrying about what has happened or what is about to happen. Even if you don't have a garden you can still grow plants in a window box, on a balcony or in pots on your window sill.

The book contains lists of plants to grow to stimulate each of your five senses and it also shows how you can contemplate various aspects of being human such as creativity, patience and generosity. There are various exercises to carry out which will help you to cultivate mindfulness. The book has an index and a section on further reading and resources. Whether you are a novice gardener or have years of experience this book will appeal to you and it will help you to slow down and use your five senses to really be present in your garden.

[Wendy Capron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful little book. I tried to be mindful while I was weeding the raspberries today, but wasn't too successful - unless, "damn this weed" is being mindful. My next project is the Linnaeus flower clock. Also, another great John Ruskin quote, "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." Someone remind me of that next February.

[Diane B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, love love!
The photographs are gorgeous.
Great quotes throughout.

Such as

Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them. (David Hume)

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilerating; there really is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. (John Rushkin)

Also filled with useful exercises to get you to look more closely, enjoy the scents, the textures and the larger lessons gardening can bring.

Uplifing.

I think I will put this in my calendar to re-read in February.

[Rachel Vryhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures!! Reading this book in bleak midwinter probably makes the pictures that much more effective at evoking the mindfulness this book is trying to teach you about, but what perfect choices. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of the techniques suggested in the book I seem to do automatically when outside, but it made me aware of more I could do, especially during more mundane garden chores like watering which I've never really enjoyed.

[Annie Leadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read it did not really offer me much that was new , just reinforced things that I've learned & been taught all of my 68years of life so far, it does take your mind away from severe Pain for a while & helps with PTSD but it doesn't cure or completely get rid of these issues which affect your daily life !

[Polly (Pauline) · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful inspiring book. Although aimed at British Gardeners ( I live in NZ) most of it has relevance for me. It is clearly segmented for seasons, senses, and suggestions. Beautiful photos included too. Well written in easy terms for laymen like myself. I would recommend this to any dedicated gardener. Have read library copy and now wish to purchase my own for future reminder reference.

[Sue Dunlop · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself is great opening to mindfulness, and reminds you of the power of gardening for your soul.
However, sometimes the text is against a background of flowers or colours that make it hard to read.