watchingthedaisies

The Healing Power of Gardening

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“There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.”

Minnie Aumonier

A Blank Canvas

I received the keys to my current home in September 2010. Sadly, the garden was very neglected, but it did provide me with a blank canvas.   Anxious to transform my little patch of good earth, I quickly put a plan in place for a system of raised beds and gravel paths, a pond, several seating areas, a screen to camouflage my bins and oil tank…

Donegal Garden Trail

In 2007, I worked in the gardens of Glenveagh Castle as part of my Organic Horticulture work experience, and I was very blessed to attend the launch of the Donegal Garden Trail, http://www.donegalgardentrail.com

I decided there and then, that one day I would have a garden in the trail too.

In July 2012, my wish came true and I opened my garden to the public for three summers in all – the proceeds going to my favourite animal charities.

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Accepting Support

You might wonder how I managed to achieve so much in such a short space of time. The truth is I had a lot of help!

Accepting help and support has been one of my major life lessons.

The raised beds were built, top soil was delivered and spread, gravel paths were laid and screening built by a big, strong man as my days of heavy digging are long over.

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Healing

Gardening has helped me to heal on every level:

  • My body has enjoyed fresh air and exercise
  • My emotions have been uplifted
  • My mind has been soothed and stilled
  • My spirit has been renewed…

I love to potter gently in my garden these days and simply watch the daisies.

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Happy gardening….

Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.

123 comments

  2. Stunningly beautiful. Our new patio is still bare. With the addition of a matching ramp, I have a place to put planters along the edge and tend the flowers whilst sitting in my wheelchair on the ramp. It will never look like that, but you have given me inspiration and ideas. Thank you for sharing!

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  3. I love wild flowers, and your garden appears to have many. It looks swell, as I suspect many of your visitors have told you. I love the many colors in your garden. I imagine the flowers smell gorgeous. Very well appointed!

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  11. Oh my Brigid what a transformation, I literally got goosebumps as I saw the pictures. Your garden is magnificent!! You did have a blank canvas and now you have a masterpiece. How you must enjoy seeing that everyday and all the benefits it has brought to you and your soul. Oh and to say “I worked at a castle” would be a dream come true for me!! Smiles all around… 🙂

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  14. What a transformation! You have created something beautiful, healing and that you have the satisfaction of knowing is the result of your own creativity and skills. I derive enormous pleasure from my garden, not just the plants but the birds and visiting cats and hedgehogs too. Well done and thank you for sharing yours 👏🏻😊

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  16. What a fantastic achievement and you have done such a good job of hiding those ugly fences
    I too moved into a blank canvas just had one Bramley and a bay tree which we kept – this was in 2001 and now I am redesigning the bottom of the garden so save on digging – my husband does the hard landscaping. Your garden looks lovely

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  17. This is a magnificent post. I’m just getting into gardening, and it’s like a blessing for my Soul.
    I love how you learned to ask for help. (and to receive it) It’s also a lesson for me, and I am grateful for your sharing! You go!!
    Blessings your way,
    Debbie

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  21. Gorgeous garden! Gardening has helped me manage my rapid cycling bipolar disorder. I have a modest plot in a community garden (I rent, no back yard). I garden vegetables though. Do you also plant veggies or just flowers?

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      • I had to Google ‘polytunnel’ as I’m more familiar with the term coldframe. We don’t have a problem with snails here. Our problem is with squirrels, groundhogs and rabbits munching on our veggies.
        The one veggie they didn’t seem too fond of was Chinese Bok Choy, haha.

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  28. Brigid you have such a beautiful garden I love the informal cottage garden style with swathes of vibrant colour… I think I have the same day lily. It is amazing when you compare your March garden to the summer garden.. where does all this life come from! Every day now brings us that little bit nearer to those summer days again. I don’t know about you but I am getting no writing done as for the past few weeks I have been in the garden tidying up or potting on. You are absolutely right Gardening heals the soul.

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  29. I realise it made no sense saying thanks for sharing your garden with me on the post about the castle greenhouses… no I don’t think you live in a castle although I am sure you would like the greenhouses! I know I would… I had all 3 comments open and was flitting.. So Thanks for sharing your garden and I will send some pictures of ours mainly from last summer. PX

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  31. Wow! Considering your garden was started from strath, it is truly stunning and no wonder you opened it to the public! Well done you for all your hard work! I would love to have no lawn but hubbie loves to potter mowing so who am I to interfere! Thank you again for linking up to my Linky party. See you again, #MyGloriousGardens

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  41. You always have some of the most beautiful pictures and some of the sweetest words. I’m never failed to be amazed by all your achievements and impressed by what you’ve managed to accomplish! As always, thank you so much for sharing and being such an inspiration.

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  42. Beautiful garden Brigid! I am so jealous as I love the look of beautiful gardens, I just can’t seem to find the energy to care for mine consistently. I am very lucky to have my Mum, who comes and helps out a lot 🙂 I love just being outside, it makes me feel so much better and even energised.

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  44. WOW! I couldn’t believe that the first photo was actually your garden Daisies! Such an incredible amount of sheer hard work, in such a short time, and you’ve now got something that you can be rightly proud of. I love it.
    Well done you clever thing … and a big thanks goes to all those who helped you to get this amazing result.
    Sending much love ~ Cobs. xxx

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  46. Brigid, you are such a wonderful inspiration -REALLY. You have created a beautiful garden.

    I find gardening healing and rewarding too. But i am not as motivated as you. But you do inspire me to get in the garden. So since last time we spoke, my garden is a lot better, far from beautiful.. no longer an eye sore…lol

    Thank you for your inspiration always.

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