RHS Gardening for Mindfulness
'Gardening is the best medicine for the mind' - the Guardian
Gardening, 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.
Easy to follow and beautifully packaged in a new format, this is the perfect book for keen gardeners, devotees of mindfulness, or simply those looking for calm in a busy and hectic world.
Holly Farrell trained at RHS Garden Wisley, where she gained the Wisley Diploma and RHS Certificates in Horticulture. Since then she has worked in gardens large and small, and written numerous books. RHS Gardening for Mindfulness was a finalist at the 2017 Garden Media Guild Awards, as was The Jam Maker's Garden. Holly is also the author of Growing Herbs (Kew Gardener's Guides), Grow Your Own Cake, RHS Happy Houseplants, RHS Miniature Garden Grower, and RHS Plants from Pips (winner, Prix PJ Redouté 2016). Get Growing is her latest in a series of titles all aimed to inspire people to get outside and take up gardening; forthcoming titles for 2020 and 2021 are Do Bees Need Weeds? (co-author) and Healing with Plants: The Chelsea Physic Garden Herbal.
Holly also regularly contributes to magazines such as The Garden, In the Moment, Breathe, The English Garden, Kitchen Garden and Teen Breathe. Her Instagram account, @hollyfarrellgarden, follows her in her own Shropshire garden and out in the countryside.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is the UK's largest gardening charity, dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. Its charitable work includes providing expert advice and information, training the next generation of gardeners and promoting the ecological, aesthetic and psychological benefits of gardening in an urban environment.