Hobbies/interests/pastimes . . .
By Jo Godden, Fri Dec 9th

HOBBIES is a word that has such a pleasurable and contented ringabout it - hobbies, something that you enjoy doing and adds tothe quality of your life. Perhaps like me, you envisagedretirement as a time to at last indulge yourself with all thehobbies and interests which had to be pushed into the backgroundduring the hectic years of working and looking after the family,only to discover that retirement is just as hectic and that itis still a job to fit in hobbies.

I was surprised to read that the most popular hobby/pastime inthe UK is fishing. I do not know how they arrived at thisconclusion, but I cannot agree with it. I can't think of onefriend or acquaintance that goes fishing, BUT every one of myfriends is a keen GARDENER. I have just returned from a BankHoliday visit to a large garden centre, and it resembled thelocal supermarket on a Saturday morning. It was heaving withpeople, with queues at all five checkouts; so I would definitelysay that during spring and early summer, gardening is the No. 1hobby/interest/pastime.

There is something special about an English country garden. Ican understand why it has developed into a multi-million-poundbusiness - songs have been written about it and over the pastfew years there has been a deluge of TV programmes, and I am oneof the addicted millions. In fact, when I am away from home forany length of time, the only thing I miss (apart from thefamily, of course) is my garden. Sometimes when sitting on a hotcrowded foreign beach I think nostalgically of the simplepleasure of relaxing on my cool green lawn with a book and thesilence broken only by the sound of trickling water from thepond accompanied by the singing of the birds. . . and all thistaken for granted and, furthermore, not costing a penny.

Now that I have conjured up this simple but blissful picture,how can we achieve a beautiful relaxing garden whilst keepingbackache and aching joints to a minimum?

First of all, have a plan in your mind of your completed gardenand the purpose of it. My personal plan is along the lines of acountry garden; a curving lawn with plants and colourful bloomsspilling over the edges, giving a soft natural effect as natureintended. I love the sound of water in the garden, so I built asmall rustic pond in the corner with a waterfall emerging frombehind an old tree and with plants covering the sides of thewaterfall. On the plus side if you bring water into the garden,you will also bring the frogs, and frogs mean less slugs.

Every garden should have a focal point whether it be a pleasingview, statue, archway covered in blossom, water feature, etc. -a focal point which makes you happy and is in tune with yourmind. Also, of course, necessary seating in order to enjoy thechosen focal point/s and, just as important, seating where youcan sit and enjoy the last rays of the sun with a glass of winein your hand, and, often overlooked, seating in a shady spot. Atthe moment, an old cherry tree provides enough shade to coverour large dining table, but I'm hoping (with a meaningful nod inmy husband's direction) that a pergola will magically appear inthe near future. It will probably appear quicker if I conjure upin his mind a picture of himself relaxing under the pergolaenjoying the glass of wine etc, etc. Now, if your garden isblessed by an old knarled husband (sorry, my mind is wanderingagain, I mean old knarled tree) - perhaps an old apple tree,don't be tempted to chop it down, but aim to incorporate it intothe garden by making a focal point out of it. Perhaps bybuilding a circular seat around it or allowing climbing blossomto drape over it. It's things like this, which money and gardendesigners can't buy, which give a garden character andindividuality.

So, we'll assume that you are aiming for a relaxing and peacefulspace, where you can read a book, enjoy a glass of wine, and letthe rest of the world go by. Now, if your aim is to have agarden where a couple of boisterous dogs can play and thegrandchildren can play football, then forget the romanticcountry garden. The colourful blooms will not be spilling overthe green lawn, they will probably be crushed into a sea of mudwhere the beloved lawn used to be.

Now with the shortage and high price of building land, themajority of houses built over the past 30 or 40 years have smallback gardens, and mine is no exception. Also, like similargardens, it is a rectangle enclosed on three sides by a fence.At first glance, it doesn't now appear to be a rectangle, as myfirst effort was to change the boring shape by introducingcurves, a corner seating area partly shaded by Japanese Maples,another larger family-orientated seating area, and a coveredarchway backed by a mirror, so that it gives an optical illusionof the gravel path continuing into another area. Solar lightsplaced along the edge of the path add to this reflection. It'scheating I know, and I don't normally like artificial additionsto a natural garden, but it certainly adds interest and afeeling of space to a small garden. (A serious word of warninghere. The effect of the mirror behind an archway is so realisticand inviting, that small children could easily harm themselvesby attempting to run through the arch)

Now, if during the summer months I am unable to see any fence orsoil, then I know that I have achieved my aim - a fence whichappears to be no longer there - it is completely covered withshrubs and climbing plants, and a garden covered withcountry-garden flowers combined with ground covering plants andfoliage. In other words a garden with the emphasis on pleasureand less on work.

So my tips for easy gardening -

1 Plant trees, shrubs and climbers around the edge of the

gardenabout 12-18" away from fencing or boundary walls. For example,Cherry trees, evergreen shrubs - laurels, cotoneasters,camellias, lilacs, etc., buddleia to attract the butterflies,lavatera to supply masses of summer colour, and then the treesand shrubs to be interspersed with plenty of climbers,particularly a selection of clematis to ensure flowering atdifferent times of the year. The clematis Montana is very goodfor rapid growth and quick coverage with a profusion of flowersin the springtime. Very good for hiding an old shed, or coveringarches, pergolas, etc. In fact, it will swamp pretty welleverything if left to its own devices. Another rapid and profuseclimber is Virginia Creeper which needs to be kept in check butrewards you with beautiful red foliage in the Autumn. Anothereasy to grow climber is Solanum with good coverage and beautifulblue and yellow blooms. But, of course, a favourite of everyoneis Wisteria. I prefer to see it climbing over a house. I haveyet to see a house where beauty and value hasn't been added bythe graceful cascading blue flowers. However, if it is grownover a fence or wall, then it is a lot easier to maintain andkeep in check. A good climber for a north-facing fence isclematis Amandii. Not only is it evergreen (which is rare in aclematis) but the beautiful white flowers are a delight,nestling on the shiny green foliage. Of course, no fence orgarden would be complete without the old favourite, honeysuckle.To be surrounded by the perfume of honeysuckle on a summer'sevening is bliss, and for the perfume to drift in through theopen bedroom window is more bliss. Now one very important pointfrom a security angle. If there is any particular part of thefence or wall which provides easy access for a burglar, then notonly add trellis to the top, but position the very pricklyplants there, such as berberis, holly, or hawthorn with itsneedle-covered branches. These act as a useful burglardeterrent, as do gravel paths. It is very difficult to walkquietly on a gravel path.

2 Now in front of the taller shrubs and climbers, plant themedium-sized shrubs, such as hardy fuchsias, roses, ceonothus;perhaps interspersed with eg. hollyhocks, delphiniums, lupins,irises, lavenders, hydrangeas, day lilies, etc. I keep themiddle-sized shrubs that require ericaceous soil and dappledshade eg azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, together in one areafor convenience. Similarly, I keep all the rose bushes in onebed as they seem to do better in each other's company.

3 Next, plant ground cover plants eg the tough and colourfulblue bell flower (campanula) which will carpet stony ground,lemon balm with its acid green and cream leaves, oxalis,saxifrage, aubretia, hardy geranium, lady's mantle, saxifrage,and Ajuga with its pink and white leaves, mounds of pinks, andas the name implies we must not forget the self-seedingforget-me-nots which always signal that spring has arrived.Whilst you are waiting for the ground cover plants to do theirjob, cover the spaces between the plants with a mulch, such aswood chippings, in order to suppress the weeds.

I have all the above plants in my garden and the result ismainly trouble-free gardening (apart from the slugs, of course).However, if you want to ensure an attractive trouble-free gardenall the year round -

HERE IS THE BEST GARDENING TIP I CAN PASS ON TO YOU - PLANT ALLYOUR BULBS AND FLOWERING PLANTS IN THE SAME SIZE FLOWER POTS (Iuse approx. 7" dia. pots) AND SINK THEM COMPLETELY IN THEGROUND, COVERING UP THE RIMS WITH SOIL. THEN WHEN SAY THEDAFFODIL AND TULIP BULBS HAVE FINISHED FLOWERING AND THE LEAVESARE TURNING YELLOW, JUST TAKE UP THE POTS AND PUT THEM OUT OFSIGHT (I keep mine behind the conifers and laurel bushes andbring them out the following year when they start to shoot) ANDTHEN YOU FILL THE SAME HOLES WITH THE POTTED SUMMER PLANTS SUCHAS GERANIUMS, ETC. AT THE END OF SUMMER, WHEN THE FIRST FROSTTHREATENS, IT IS QUITE A SIMPLE MATTER TO JUST LIFT OUT THE POTSAND PUT THEM UNDER COVER. I have been doing this for a couple ofyears now and it certainly makes light work of manoeuvringplants to desired positions.

I think now that I will manoeuvre myself to a desired position,ie relaxing on the garden lounger and enjoying the garden.Remember! that's what gardens are for - our enjoyments. So,enjoy your hobby/interest/pastime and reap the rewards.

PS Whilst we are on the subject of hobbies, I can't resistsharing this nostalgic, amusing story with you ... Can youremember as a school child the school inspector's visit? Iattended a Church of England village school, so prior to thedreaded visit we were instructed to be engrossed in making 'babyMoses in the bullrushes' out of plasticine during his visit. Onlooking back, it's now the school inspector that I feel sorryfor, as the poor man had to duly inspect and comment on theresulting 'babies'??

Every time I hear the word 'hobby' there springs to mind thefollowing story, related some time back by a retired schoolinspector. The class he inspected had no doubt been wellrehearsed and instructed to 'work hard and look interested'.During his round he noticed one small lad with a glum expressionas he worked ferociously on a piece of wood. Hoping to give thesmall lad a word of encouragement, the school inspector asked'and what are you doing, my lad? To which the lad dutifullyreplied "It's me 'obby sir, and I 'ates it".

About the author:Visit Mabels...Maintaining Bygone Times, containing numerousarticles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person.You may access these articles by visitinghttp://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best tipsto improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well asinformation on nostalgic topics, places to visit, leisure &lifestyle, mobility & helpful organisations to make the most outof life.