What type of gardener are you

They are also, of course, where we practise our green-fingered hobby: planting , growing, tending to fruit and vegetables , pruning, catering for wildlife and feeding the birds. So, with such a big topic to take on and with gardening so close to the heart of Country Living , we want to know all about your gardening habits.

What do you already know and what do you want to learn? How do you use your space and what type of gardener are you? The answer lies in the use of repetition and mass plantings of secondary plants. Another way of dealing with a disparate collection is by employing the technique of juxtaposition. By taking plant shape, color, texture and size into consideration and pairing plants with two of these things in common, a sense of logical order will begin to emerge, while the unique qualities of each plant will still be preserved.

The philosopher. The garden of the philosopher will be sparse compared to the gardens of the traveler, the artist and the collector. Prominent items in this garden are carefully chosen for their intrinsic value, shape, texture or relationship to other items in the garden. They are never crowded; emphasis is placed on displaying each item in a way that promotes thought and introspection.

The background color is frequently monochromatic. Substrates of crushed stone , aged pavers and sand are frequently preferred over turf and ground covers. All of this is done to encourage thought. The philosopher may place a premium on smaller spaces. Or the philosopher may prefer a high overlook from which he or she may survey the surrounding countryside.

The whimsical gardener. This person is simply fun, frequently raising eccentricity to an art form. Found objects used in unorthodox ways are held in high regard by this gardener. Hunting grounds include thrift stores and flea markets. Color abounds. Each item tells the story and reflects the personality of its owner.

The challenge faced by the whimsical gardener in designing a garden is, as with the collector, how to bring continuity to the space. A dark green hedge or ground cover can earn its place in this garden as a mediator between colors, shapes and textures, giving the eye a place to rest.

The extrovert. This type of gardener is all about celebrating friendships and gathering people together. For this gardener plants take on the role of supporting actors for the productions that occur. Hardscaping becomes the stage; the set usually consists of colorful furniture, cushions and the quintessential grill or outdoor kitchen.

Fear not: indoor or container gardening is just the right type of gardening for you. Plants that are particularly well-suited to outdoor containers include strawberries, tomatoes, all kinds of peppers, herbs which also grow well indoors on a sunny windowsill , geraniums, flowering annuals, grasses, and much more. Low maintenance and hard-to-kill indoor plants include philodendrons, succulents, and ZZ plants. The friendly staff at your local garden center can help set you up with everything you need to get started.

Start small and watch your garden grow! Is every day Earth Day in your world? Are you as interested in nurturing the soil and protecting wildlife as you are in planting pretty flowers? Here are some ideas about how you can saving the environment while gardening:.

Use n ative plants whenever possible and install plants that support local wildlife. Look for w ater - saving plants , particularly in arid and desert climates where water is a scarce resource. A void lawns or consid er replacing your grass with a no-mow lawn alternative.

Avoid the use of harsh chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides and use natural garden maintenance methods instead. Install a compost bin for garden waste and to make your own organic mulch. Save water by installing a rain barrel to collect rainwater from your roof.

Grow your own organic vegetables, fruit, and herbs bonus: when you have too much, you can share the bounty with your neighbors! Just having a single house plant to look after has been proven to reduce stress and make you feel more energised.

It helps you think more clearly, and starts to relieve anxiety or depression. Even if we can't pin down the reason why gardening helps there are countless real life stories of it happening. We'd love to hear yours Types of gardeners. Easy Fleece Jackets are Instant winter protection for large, exotic and tender container plants, as well as any non-hardy plants, to help protect t Sales and prices are up, and growers are struggling to keep up with demand.

Pippa Greenwood offers her gardening tips for November. From how to deal with garden pests still active following the warm autumn. To where to find Haxnicks have been designing, manufacturing and distributing garden care and plant protection products since My Basket.