Can your garden help you stay happy?

Who's feeling happy?

This time of year can be hard, and this winter has felt particularly long. There are some early signs of new growth, and the sun is out for the first time in ages. Small positive steps in the right direction.

However reluctant we feel to get outside when it's cold and damp, there is plenty of evidence that being in and around nature positively impacts our wellbeing.

Over the last few years, our gardens have become more important to us than ever, so we wanted to share some ideas with you for increasing your happiness through your garden or green spaces. Whether you have a large garden or a small urban space, integrating biophilic elements can transform it into a sanctuary that supports your health and inspires creativity.

What is Biophilic Gardening? 

The concept of Biophilic Design is about ensuring nature is included in the built environment as much as possible. In a garden, this would look like including as many natural elements as possible, whether that's plants and greenery or water and natural materials.

What to do to create a biophilic garden?

Plant things! While lawns are made up of plants, they don't really mimic how grass would behave naturally if we didn't primp and preen it. They can also be a desert for wildlife if over-mown or regularly treated with weedkillers and fertilisers. Can you give up areas for extra planting or a 'wild garden'? Letting a patch of lawn run a little wild turns it into a brilliant habitat for wildlife.

Large garden borders stuffed with plants can feel daunting to maintain. Raised beds, planters and pots make looking after and also enjoying your garden much easier, especially over the winter months when the ground is damp and boggy. 

Plants that stimulate your sense of smell or touch help you feel connected to your natural environment, so stock up on lavender for the summer and sarcococca for the winter for wonderful wafts as you walk past and look for plants that feel good when you touch them.

Water can also turn a space into a calm and relaxing haven. Water bowls, small ponds, water walls, and water features all not only sound and look wonderful; they have the added benefit of attracting wildlife - which means even more 'nature' in your biophilic garden.

Natural materials such as wood or stone also help us feel connected to the elements, as do earth tones such as corten or rusted steel. 

Think about including outdoor stoves or fire pits to keep warm so you use your garden more in the colder months.

What if I don't have a garden?

No garden, no bother! Even a window box filled with herbs can positively impact your space. Bringing the outdoors in with houseplants and natural materials inside your home also brings many of the biophilic benefits.  

Many plant pots are designed for indoor use, and a large houseplant makes a striking interiors feature. Small balconies, front door steps, roof terraces or courtyards will all be transformed by using an array of different-sized pots and planters to bring the greenery a little closer.

Now that winter is nearly over, we can all start to get outside much more to help boost our moods. In among all the joys of Spring, try to set aside time to plan ahead for the darker days and figure out how your garden can work to keep you happy all year around.