Summer is here, with its long, warm sunny days, blue skies, lush verdant growth and a bounty of flowers. The seasonal cycle has worked its magic and, once again, a landscape that only a few months ago looked grey, bare, almost lifeless, is now a vibrant riot of colours, scents and sounds. Waist-high ferns, cow parsley, poppies and foxgloves edge the country lanes, birdsong fills the air, swallows dart and swoop in the sky, and a light breeze carries the wonderful scent of myriad blooms.
I sit in my favourite spot under the ornamental cherry tree overlooking our little pond, surrounded by honeysuckle, lavender and roses, enjoying their sweet smell and the welcome shade. As I gaze at the glimmering play of sunlight reflecting off the water, following the graceful flight of blue-winged dragonflies, a profound sense of gratitude washes over me for this garden, its healing beauty and positive impact on my mental health, and all the wisdom, inspiration and valuable lessons it teaches.
I’ve always been passionate about flowers and, for many years, I’d dreamt of having my own garden filled with all my favourite plants. Four years ago, that dream finally came true: I had a medium-sized, weed-filled plot of land that I could transform into a beautiful garden. I filled it with roses, peonies, spring bulbs, dahlias and other plants that complement my personal style and make me feel connected to nature, regardless of current design trends.
Nurturing the right environment
Despite extensive research, meticulous planning and ample care, every year a few plants fail to thrive. They might grow stunted, wither, succumb to pests or become victims of my inexperience. When this happens, the garden offers a chance to embrace failure as a learning opportunity, let go of the unrealistic expectation to control every minute detail and to cultivate self-compassion and forgiveness for any errors made.
Every living being needs the right conditions to thrive, and consistent care and attention are crucial. A daily walk around the garden not only soothes the mind and rejuvenates the body, but also offers the possibility to spot any problems. Early pest detection can often be managed or eliminated using environmentally friendly methods such as companion planting, which involves planting flowers and herbs that attract beneficial insects and repel harmful ones. A diverse garden promotes growth and builds a web of interconnection and mutual support. Bees, butterflies and other insects pollinate flowers, frogs, lizards and birds eat insects that might damage plants, snails and slugs decompose dead plant material and turn it into nutrient rich compost, and even weeds like dandelions and nettles help attract pollinators and nourish the soil.
Relaxed approach
Realising that the garden is a living organism meant to be shared with other creatures fosters tolerance and humility. Allowing certain areas to grow wild and embracing this natural state promotes a more relaxed, enjoyable experience, sometimes leading to pleasant surprises, like unexpected plant combinations of breathtaking beauty.
The summer garden is at peak growth and requires time and effort. There are roses and other flowers to deadhead to encourage new blooms, beds to water and maintain, weeds to pull, grass to mow and vegetables and berries to harvest. My natural inclination is to work in intense bursts, expending a significant amount of energy in a single session, until I feel exhausted and need plenty of rest to recover effectively. During the first summer, I became overwhelmed and learned one of the most valuable lessons from the garden: the immense power of taking consistent small steps.
Physical work is best done early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the heat. Instead of trying to do everything at once, I focus on a single task each day, giving it my full attention until it’s done. This mindful approach is more productive and certainly more enjoyable – in the long run, seeing tangible results provides satisfaction and ongoing motivation, and all the jobs get done without stress. Mindfulness while gardening also helps fully appreciate the beauty of summer. The vibrant colours, heady smells and calming sounds create a sensory experience. Savouring the refreshing coolness of early morning and the welcome respite from the heat, gently stroking the silky petals of roses and inhaling their scent while deadheading, or pausing for a moment to admire the colourful wings of butterflies fluttering around the Verbena bonariensis. These are just a few of the gifts to be found by slowing down and taking the time to notice.
Opportunity for pause
Tuning in to the seasons and recognising their gifts is also a way to cultivate acceptance and hope. Summer is the culmination of nature’s growth and expansion, but after the solstice, a phase of contraction begins and days start getting shorter again. While it’s easy to be grateful for expansion, contraction can be more challenging, even though both phases are essential parts of growth and life. Being fully present and appreciative of joyful moments is a way to fill the inner well and build resilience for difficult times. Summer memories will soon be a welcome reminder that winter, both real and figurative, shall pass, too.
In a society that values busyness, constant growth, scrolling and speed, pausing to savour life’s ordinary miracles is a revolutionary act. Finding time to sit back, relax and take in the view, noticing all the details of nature’s luxuriant summer display, is soul-nourishing, and embracing idleness and letting the mind wander is essential to create space for new ideas and insights to emerge. This is also an opportunity to observe the garden as a whole, taking note of any less-than-successful planting and working through alternatives. I jot down all my observations and any ideas that come to mind, creating a list of activities for autumn and winter.
Time to reap
At this time of the year, the vegetable patch is in full bloom, offering an abundance of salad leaves, tomatoes, courgettes, spring onions, kale, new potatoes, berries and more. Growing food and using it to prepare nourishing meals is satisfying and provides an opportunity to share a portion of the bounty with friends and neighbours.
Whether it’s looking after an allotment, a communal garden, a small courtyard or even a few pots of herbs, mixed salad leaves or microgreens growing on a sunny windowsill, the act of nurturing and caring for plants brings immense joy, promotes mindfulness, and offers a chance to connect with nature and the seasons, and learn their valuable lessons.
Cristina is an artist and photographer. See more of her work at cristinacolli.com and follow her on Instagram @c_colli