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Justine front garden hero
Following a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) alongside other health needs, Justine has found her garden to be a place that lifts her spirits and provides purpose. She shares her story.

What first gave you an interest in gardening?

I only started gardening around 12 months ago.

I started with just two hanging baskets. My dad was known for them, so I thought I would have a go. It made me feel so good and my interest really took off from there!

I’ve gone from having no inclination to garden to being totally obsessed!

Justine

I’ve gone from having no inclination to garden to being totally obsessed!

Can you tell us a bit about your garden space?

Bit by bit, I’ve done a lot in the last 12 months!

The back garden was unkempt, so I started with the front. I began by planting pots, containers and hanging baskets.

There was a super wide hedge in the front garden. I’ve taken it out so I can see out and enjoy the view.

Justine back garden
Justine's back garden with log cabin

I wanted to keep the mental health benefits, so now I’ve got a greenhouse and have built a log cabin in the back garden. The log cabin took five months to build, but now I can go in there in the winter, write in my journal and look at the garden. I just love it!

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

I have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), pulmonary hypertension, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis. I’m under the shared care of various medical teams.

I don’t have much control over the medical side of things. But I can control my garden.

If I’m having a bad day with pain, going in the garden and sitting or just wandering will lift my spirits.

Justine

If I’m having a bad day with pain, going in the garden and sitting or just wandering will lift my spirits.

It’s funny, I’ve had some amazing moments during my career. I was the first woman to hold an operating license at Heathrow airport and have been a consultant at UN leading digital disaster responses. But, nothing quite matches the excitement of being in the garden!

I do need to try to slow down a bit! It can be frustrating because I live alone and want to get things done.

But I always remember there’s no pressure from the garden. If you can’t do it now, you can just do it another day.

When I was first on oxygen, I didn’t want to go out. My family have now realised they don’t need to convince me to get out as I’m so happy being in the garden.

When I go into the back garden it’s so calming. It’s my real happy place.

Gardening gives me a sense of purpose. I wish someone had told me the mental health benefits before.

Justine

Gardening gives me a sense of purpose. I wish someone had told me the mental health benefits before.

What do you enjoy doing most in your garden?

Almost everything!

When I discovered gardening, I went mad and bought about 70 packets of seeds! I planted them on a window ledge. I don’t even like tomatoes, but I had 20 plants growing, plus peas and cucumbers.

I love flowers. I treated myself to two big jasmine pots, which I’ve trained around the front door and along the windows.

My kids gave me some rose plants four years ago. I moved them into to pots and they’re doing well. One rose flowered for the first time the day one of my dogs passed – it’s amazing how you get associations with certain plants.

Have you discovered any helpful adaptations or ways to make gardening easier for you?

When I started, I got someone to help with the heavy gruntwork.

I keep a noticeboard in my house of the jobs I’m not able to do myself. When my kids visit, they can read these and know how to help.

I think everyone is pleased about me getting more help. One day, my neighbours spotted me standing on a chair with my oxygen tank trying to wrap my jasmine. They did ask me what I was doing trying to do it myself!

When I started out, I was enjoying gardening so much but didn’t know what I doing! So, I bought every book going.

I have a gardening journal where I write what I’ve been doing, note temperature changes etc. This way I can start to see what’s happened and why. It also gives me an activity to enjoy inside when it’s raining. My diary of plants is my social life – I’ve mapped out my new garden and numbered the beds, planning what’s going where.

Justine book with garden plan
Justine's garden journal

I photograph everything. It gives me something to do in the winter, sticking photos into a book.

I can still garden in my head, even if I can’t get out so often.

As I’ve got limited movement, I’ve now got raised beds with sleepers in the back garden. These beds have been designed so I can sit on them all the way round with my oxygen tank.

Justine back garden raised bed
A raised bed with wide sleepers all around to sit on

I’ve also got a big seat in the middle of the garden. Anywhere in the garden, I’m never too far from a seat.

Gardening is only as expensive as you need it to be. Many of the bits I got for my back garden were free. I found fence panels, windows and patio doors on Facebook marketplace. I made a list of everything that would be required and started searching for free or cheap.

I’ve found I can feel good from doing one little thing. Breaking activities down into tiny jobs helps keep you out longer.

Justine

I’ve found I can feel good from doing one little thing. Breaking activities down into tiny jobs helps keep you out longer. Then it’s such an achievement when you sit down at the end of the day.

What would you like to do next with your garden?

I want to put a table out front, so people can take the seedlings – for example primary school children on their way home. I’ve bought 400 bulbs so not sure what I’m going to do with them otherwise!

I’m also happy to share my story. If one person can improve their day through reading this, it’s worth it!

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

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