John's story – how the garden changed from a threat to an opportunity

Having viewed the garden as nothing but hard work at some points, John shares how – alongside other passions – it has become part of his path to better wellbeing.

What first gave you an interest in gardening?

I grew up in suburban West London. My parents had a house with a large garden – back in the 1950s, it was cheaper for them to buy a place with extra land.

After they retired and had time to look after it, my mum was outside in all weathers. She loved growing what was exotic veg at the time – like sweetcorn. I got an appreciation of fresh runner beans. When I was older and started working, I got them a freezer. That meant they could grow and freeze veg and make and save jam.

My dad was mechanical minded, he’d be the one using the digger.

I was always happy to do manual work and keep fit with it.

Although my parents put time and effort into sections, there was plenty of the garden that stayed wild. I’d build camps and play games in it.

Can you tell us a bit about your garden space?

When I got my own home – which was near to my parents – it was a standard suburban London home. The back garden was used for leisure time with the family. We also grew things from seed. My kids loved growing. We grew baby-size carrots in a bathtub. We managed to convince the non veg-eating family next door to try them too - everyone enjoyed eating them raw like rabbits!

I’ve now moved back to my family home and have a new partner who is very much into food and growing. She grows aloe vera which is wonderful. I’m a keen cyclist and it’s a great natural remedy for saddle sore.

It’s a big garden space and still needs more clearing. I have to admit the space is also given over to some of my passions – like bikes and cars!

There is plenty of wildlife. We’ve got red kites flying overhead and parakeets. Some people think of parakeets as a nuisance but they’re just trying to survive too - you can’t complain.

What I love about allotments is people from all over the world getting together and exchanging ideas, growing and tasting different foods.
John

I did have an allotment, but the local council needed to take it back to expand the cemetery. I’m hoping to get another ½ plot from them. What I love about allotments is people from all over the world getting together and exchanging ideas, growing and tasting different foods.

How do you think gardening and time in nature benefits your health and wellbeing?

I have diagnosed bipolar disorder. I go through degrees of high to low, cycling from depression to mania.

I’ve taken a whole range of drugs and antidepressants, but they just made me feel worse.

The garden and bipolar are inextricably linked. When I was depressed, I saw it as nothing but hard work and a threat. I spent a long time inside.

The garden and bipolar are inextricably linked. When I was depressed, I saw it as nothing but hard work and a threat.
John

One day, and with support from my son who dragged me out for a drink, everything that had been a threat became an opportunity. That’s the switch that happens with bipolar. You put up with the downs as the highs are good.

Good health for me is a mixture of things – it’s about getting fresh air in the lungs and getting the legs moving.
John

Now, I’m back out there doing things in the garden. Good health for me is a mixture of things – it’s about getting fresh air in the lungs and getting the legs moving.

What do you enjoy doing most in your garden?

I think part of the point of a garden is to stop and stare. That’s what gives the time to have ideas and to daydream.

I like growing different things from seed. If you can get a mango to grow from its stone, that’s impressive! Leave them, see if it floats – lo and behold it puts out a sprout for the roots and seeks sunlight.

I think part of the point of a garden is to stop and stare.
John

If you do a good day’s work tidying and digging, you’ve earnt your evening beer!

And how did you come across Thrive?

I was doing lots of research on using 'rubbish' to build vertical gardens. One of the sites I was on made reference to Thrive so I looked you up. Something about Thrive struck a chord and has prompted me to write rather more than I usually do!

What would you like to do next with your garden?

I’ve still got brambles and nettles at the end of the garden, but bit by bit I’m taking them down.

I’ve got this big idea to create a vertical garden using bicycle wheels. They make wonderful items to grow things up as they don’t rot. It’s also great to find a use for them as they are hard to recycle otherwise.

My plan is to have car tyres at the bottom, then bike tyres. Together they will create a freestanding fence, using conventional fencing techniques. The car tyres can be disguised with brambles and ivy to increase biodiversity.

The world is full of people like myself who have outlandish ideas – I’m looking forward to working more on this one!

Share your story

We love hearing about how your gardens and our Thrive advice have helped support your wellbeing. If you would like to share your story, email info@thrive.org.uk