The Spring 2002 Issue of Kidney Life carried a short article, about the hanging baskets at the Renal Unit in North Lincolnshire. As a horticulturalist and a keen gardener to boot I thought I’d write about what gardening means to me, both as a kidney patient and on a wider scale.
So, what does gardening give to me... ?
“Gardening - For Stress Relief, take as necessary”...
An unlikely prescription perhaps... but if you live in Mansfield this, according to a recent report, is what your General Practitioner may recommend under their GP referral scheme in association with the Local Authority!...see note 1
On an overall note though, what has gardening got to do with kidney patients? The answer:.. Lots.
Gardening, or horticulture, if you want to give it its professional term, has long been used as a therapeutic, stress reducing, healthy form of exercise. The great thing about it is that it can be done almost anywhere.
From house plants to herb gardens, whatever your personal choice, there is something to suit all tastes..
As a kidney patient who’s spent far too much time in overheated, stuffy renal wards and dialysis units, the garden is my panacea. Fresh air and the chance to ’get back to nature’ - at least on some levels - are a bonus. I certainly find that time spent out in the garden relieves the worries of living with ’a kidney’ or ’a machine’.
Whether I’m sowing seeds or pricking out seedlings in the greenhouse or, on rare occasions when I have enough energy, digging on my parents allotment, the hassles of being a renal patient fade into the background.
From a dietary point of view, as kidney patients, we are constantly encouraged to eat healthily; whether by restricting foods as with diet on dialysis, or watching calories after a transplant. For me gardening gives opportunities to ’grow my own’ in each of these cases.. A taste of fresh herbs in the former diet, and fresh goodies of all kinds in the latter. Nothing matches the taste of soup made with freshly harvested leeks, or strawberries picked less than an hour ago in summer.
Fresh food always tastes better, one possible reason why hospital food can be so appalling, although efforts are being made. One hospital I know of grows a certain amount of its own herbs for use in the hospital kitchens, and when I was last there, the results showed. When you’re ill, you want something tasty and attractive, not the equivalent of a reheated take-away (which is the sort of thing I’ve been served on other occasions).
Even if you do not have a lot of room, you can still grow your own herbs and vegetables. A window box or large planter will give lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and in sheltered spots even cucumber or melon is not out of the question. Quick maturing varieties or ’mini’ varieties are best suited to these conditions. Cherry tomatoes fresh off the vine anyone?
Even if you’ve no money for plants, and I for one am particularly unimpressed by some of the prices charged by garden centres, then look to growing from seed, or obtain cuttings, or small plants from local plant sales. Try local allotments societies, car boot sales or charity plant sales for good deals.
If I had my way all renal units would have a garden access point to allow for de-stressing and a breath of fresh air. I’m frequently appalled by the state of hospital houseplants, usually as unmaintained gifts, or planters that end up as giant ashtrays on hospital balconies or entrances. I hope the planters at the Lincolnshire Unit get the regular maintenance they deserve to keep the staff and patients smiling.
If a particular type of plant takes your fancy and you want to learn more about it then, like as not, you’ll not be the only one. Specialist plant societies exist for many, many species of plants, from the well known, such as Dahlias, to the more exotic such as Passiflora. Most of these specialist societies are ideally placed to give advice to new gardeners having the expertise beyond more ’general’ sources.
For National Collections of plant specialist societies try the NCCPG (National Council for Conservation of Plants and Garden - click here for contact details).
Like any activity, it’s worth being aware of the risks before starting. For kidney patients who may be more susceptible to problems due to a reduced immune system this is especially important:-
If the weeds grow, or something you want to grow doesn’t, don’t stress! If you don’t have the energy for something, get help with it, or leave it till you do. Its supposed to be enjoyable... Not another worry!
So there you have it, a healthy, entertaining, stress reducing, tasty & nutritious activity. Get out there and get at it. But don’t overdo it!
(Please mention the National Kidney Federation (UK) when contacting the organisations below)
It is recommended you read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which are posted in the newsgroup regularly or you can read them on the web at:
http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/index.html
The URG charter is also worth reading before you start posting messages. It can be found here:
http://www.usenet.org.uk/uk.rec.gardening.html
Also available for free download from the DTLR Website: http://www.urban.dtlr.gov.uk/
See Publications>Good Practice Guides
Thrive is the national horticultural charity that exists to enable disadvantaged, disabled and older people to participate fully in the social and economic life of the community.
Thrive supports a network of specialist projects that run programmes of horticultural activity for training and employment, therapy and health.
They provide expert advice on easier and accessible gardening for everyone, including older or mobility-restricted people, through their award winning website.
Thrive is also researching and promoting the benefits that horticultural activity can bring to disadvantaged, disabled and older people. Contact Thrive at :-
Thrive National Office,
The Geoffrey Udall Centre,
Beech Hill, Reading.
RG7 2AT
Tel: 0118 9885688
Fax: 0118 9885677
email: info@thrive.org.uk
Thrive’s Gardening Site: http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/ is highly recommended and offers practical advice for those who have physical difficulties that might prevent them from gardening.
Administrative Offices, Lindley Library and Exhibition Halls,
80 Vincent Square,
London
SW1P 2PE
Tel: 020 7834 4333 info@rhs.org.uk
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm
Membership Enquiries Tel: 020 7821 3000 membership@rhs.org.uk
Website: http://www.rhs.org.uk/
How to contact HDRA (the organic organisation - Organic Gardening, Information, Campaigning, and Advice):-
The Henry Doubleday Research Association,UK Registered Charity Number 298104
Tel: 024 7630 3517
Fax: 024 7663 9229
Email: enquiry@hdra.org.uk
Website: http://www.hdra.org.uk/
“help all, both Nationally and Internationally, to enjoy the recreation of gardening, and thus to promote their health, education and community fellowship”
Tel: +44 1536 266576
Fax: +44 1536 264509
Address: NSALG Ltd., O’Dell House, Hunters Road, CORBY, Northants, England, NN17 5JE
Email: natsoc@nsalg.demon.co.uk
Website: http://www.nsalg.co.uk/
‘The NCCPG seeks to conserve, document, promote and make available Britain and Ireland’s great biodiversity of garden plants for the benefit of horticulture, education and science.’
Registered Charity No: 1004009
NCCPG, The National Office, The Stable Court Yard, Wisley Gardens, Wisley Woking, Surrey GU23 6QP
Tel: 01483 211465
Email: membership@nccpg.org.uk
Website: http://www.nccpg.org.uk/
Following a successful third transplant in January 2001 he is seeking part time work and lives in North London with his parents, pet cat and a large number of plants!
Page created: 8 August 2002
Last updated: 21 April 2008
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