COVID-19 restrictions have seen us spending a lot more time at home. While some of us have been binging on Netflix, catching up with friends and family via video chat, sharing silly memes, getting fit, studying or catching up on some reading, others have turned to gardening. Even those not normally known to have green thumbs have got the gardening bug, talking about how their mood has been boosted by the sounds of birds, fresh air, sunshine, the smell of dirt and interesting insects. In addition to long queues at Bunnings, the gardening trend has seen some seed suppliers in Australia and New Zealand overwhelmed with demand.

Filling Time During Lockdown

Lockdown measures have forced us all to change the way we live. Whether you are now working from home, have had your business temporarily close or are homeschooling your children (or a combination of everything!), life is not the same as it was before. Some days you may just feel like lying on the couch and binging on Netflix (and there’s nothing wrong with that!), while other days you may crave some fresh air and sunshine. 

Gardening provides the perfect opportunity to get your daily dose of Vitamin D while ensuring your outdoor areas stay in great condition and are ready for winter. Studies have also shown that gardening is beneficial to mood, helping to relieve anxiety, depression and stress. This is especially true in a time when we are unable to spend time with our friends and family. 

“And so if the novel coronavirus underscores an age of distancing, gardening arises as an antidote, extending the promise of contact with something real….While the virtual world may have its own ability to absorb attention, it is not immersive in the way gardening can be.”

Food security has also played a part in the gardening boom.

“I think there are some people who are feeling fearful … about food security, and have a genuine interesting in growing their own for food protection. And I think there are people who are bored and want a hobby.”

Seed companies are urging consumers to only buy what they need, insisting there is no shortage of supply. 

Gardening During Coronavirus

If you’re keen to get out into the garden but don’t know where to start, try these recommendations from gardening guru, Tom Wyatt.

  • Prune shrubs ready for winter
  • Control pests
  • Plan a vegetable garden
  • Plant flowers
  • Feed your garden with DIY compost

Read more about Tom’s top gardening tips on the abc website. 

While you’re out in the garden, you never know what you might discover. A man gardening in the UK discovered a car buried in his backyard. The car is believed to be a 1955/56 Ford Popular 103e and the homeowner has no idea why or how the car came to be located there. 

 

Need help with your lawn mowing or landscaping? CPM can get your garden under control so it is easier to maintain. Find out more about our garden maintenance services or ask us for a quote.