He’s a magnificent broadcaster, gifted gardener, brilliant author and all-round horticultural visionary. This month, Alan Titchmarsh talks about wellbeing in the wilds of our gardens.

If you’ve ever spent a few hours in the garden, you’ll know the feeling. The sense of calm that washes over you, the rhythm of pulling weeds, planting seeds, or simply observing the world around you as it blooms into life. It’s as if nature has a way of soothing the worries of the world, even if just for a moment.

Over the years, I’ve spoken to countless people who’ve told me the same thing: gardening has been a lifeline for their mental health. Monty Don, a friend and fellow gardener, has spoken at length about how his time in the garden helped him through difficult patches in his life. It’s something that resonates deeply with me, and with so many others I’ve met on this journey.

Being outside, surrounded by nature, and connected to something as fundamental as the soil, has an almost magical way of making us feel more grounded. There’s something therapeutic about getting your hands dirty, whether it’s tending to a row of vegetables or simply sitting on a bench and watching the plants sway in the breeze. Nature, in all its beauty, offers us a chance to reconnect with ourselves.

There’s a certain philosophical aspect to gardening that I find particularly striking as well. We all go through periods of ups and downs, with twists and turns, highs and lows, and so does the garden as it moves through the seasons. There’s something about tending to a patch of earth – watching things change, seeing plants grow and bloom – that reminds us that, just as the garden revives itself year after year, so too can we.

When I speak to people about their gardens, I hear so many stories of personal renewal. For some, it’s a place that offers a platform for processing so much – an escape from the pressures of daily life. The act of planting, watching something grow, and nurturing life – whether it’s a flower, a vegetable, or a tree – gives us a sense of purpose.

What’s more, you don’t need to have a vast plot of land to feel its benefits. Whether you have a small balcony, a few pots on a windowsill, or a larger expanse, nature is always within reach.

So, the next time you’re feeling a bit frazzled or down, step outside. Take a deep breath, feel the earth beneath your feet, and let the garden do its work.