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It's all about slow gardening in 2022

Gardening is often a process of trial and error, even for seasoned gardeners, but what three mistakes does RHS Chelsea Flower Show designer Juliet Sargeant wish we would bury and forget?

"Most of the mistakes that I see are when people are just a bit too heavy handed, chopping things back, and frantically spraying chemicals because there's a small blotch on a leaf," Juliet tells Country Living, explaining that many of us are too impatient when it comes to gardening.

"We should all try to be more 'hands-off' in the garden and just see what nature does. Instead of reaching for a spray, see if the plant can fight off the disease itself."

Slow gardening subscribes to the idea that good things take time – much like slipping into the rhythm of the seasons themselves. "We often rush around the garden raking, cleaning and chopping," Juliet adds. "There's so much that nature has to teach us and I think it's important just to look in the garden, rather than always do."

We all knew pandemic gardening was going to be big. Whether you have a tiny terrace or a sprawling outdoor space, so many of us picked up our gardening gloves back in the first lockdown and never put them back down. If you, like us, can't wait to head back outside, then you'll be pleased to know that there are a surprising number of tasks to keep you busy out in the garden.

"Now is the time to really be thinking about feeding your soil," Juliet tells us. "Spread compost onto your soil and mulch it together to protect it as the plants start to grow. Especially at this time of year, there are always a few leaves in the garden that need raking and putting on the compost heap. Often, I don't even bother putting the leaves on my compost – I just tuck them under the hedges and the bushes and leave them there to rot down."

It's not just composting that should be on our to-do list: Juliet explains the importance of a good (and cheap) garden clean-up. "Jet washing your paving can make such a difference. It's amazing how they come up clean after that," Juliet adds. "I often hear people say 'oh I need new paving', but it's a waste to take it off, put it in landfill and bring a whole lot more in. Think twice about getting rid of your paving. You don't lose anything by trying to clean it first."

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