Cultivating Joy: Three New Books Bloom with Gardening’s Happiness Boost
As the warmer weather signals the arrival of spring, the vibrant hues of daffodils, the emerging elegance of tulips, and the delicate promise of blossoms imbue our surroundings with a palpable sense of optimism and cheer. This uplifting sentiment is perfectly captured by three new books, each offering a unique perspective on how gardening, regardless of the space available, can be a powerful pathway to personal happiness.
Dopamine Gardening: 52 Projects for a Happier You
From the creative mind behind the popular TikTok account @inthecottagegarden, Amy Chapman’s “Dopamine Gardening” (Pavilion, £22) presents a project-led approach to cultivating joy through the act of gardening. This guide encourages enthusiasts to embark on delightful outdoor projects tailored for every season and any size of space.
The book is brimming with inspiring activities, ranging from the simple yet rewarding task of growing chamomile from a teabag, to cultivating fragrant plants that can elevate your favourite cocktails and mocktails. Chapman also suggests creating a dedicated “nostalgia patch” or a calming “healing windowsill garden.” With a generous selection of 52 projects, the author proposes undertaking one each week, fostering a year-round connection to the mood-boosting benefits that gardening provides. Chapman herself shares a poignant reflection, describing how gardening has transformed her from an “anxious little caterpillar” into a “thriving butterfly.”
Garden Yourself Happy: Simple Steps to a Joyful Green Thumb
Jonny Hincks, a firefighter by day and a passionate garden enthusiast and fitness buff off-duty, brings his accessible and relatable advice to readers in “Garden Yourself Happy” (Ebury Press, £16.99). Known online to over three million followers as @gardenwithjonny, Hincks advocates for a no-fuss, stress-free method to achieving happiness through gardening.
Hincks’ own journey with gardening was profoundly influenced by his mother, a keen gardener who passed away when he was 18. Her passion ignited his own, and he has since become a strong proponent of gardening’s positive impact on mental health and overall wellbeing. His core philosophy is simple: keep it fun, keep it easy, and keep it stress-free. He demonstrates how small, consistent efforts can lead to immensely satisfying results, such as the delight of a perfectly ripened tomato or the fragrant burst of mint encountered while brushing past a pot.
He champions the idea that regular, albeit minor, gardening tasks – from consistent mulching to diligently checking for pests – can accumulate to significant achievements. This approach, he insists, builds confidence and allows gardeners to observe changes more rapidly. Hincks offers warm encouragement, reminding readers that mistakes are valuable learning opportunities and that the curated perfection often seen on social media should be taken with a grain of salt. The book is thoughtfully structured around the four seasons, offering practical “hacks,” to-do lists, quick jobs, essential growing and pruning tips, and even blank pages for personal notes. Its clear, concise paragraphs, time-efficient job suggestions (10, 20, and 30-minute tasks), and step-by-step guidance make it an uplifting and informative read, even for those with limited gardening experience.
RHS Happy Plants: 100 Plants to Grow for a Happier You
For those who have ever pondered which plants possess the secret to genuine happiness, horticulturist and gardening writer Zia Allaway provides answers in “RHS Happy Plants” (Welbeck, £14.99). This insightful book offers a curated selection of 100 plants guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, alongside guidance on how to nurture them to their fullest potential.
Allaway delves into the science behind our connection with plants, exploring how flowers can sharpen our focus, aid in brain rejuvenation, and how the scents of our favourite plants can trigger cherished, happy memories. She also sheds light on the psychological effects of colour in the garden, explaining how certain hues can promote relaxation and enhance our appreciation of the present moment. The joy derived from observing wildlife interacting with garden plants is also a key theme.
Among the plants highlighted for their unique happiness-inducing qualities are the Japanese maple, celebrated for its extended season of visual interest and spectacular autumn foliage, and the tactile foliage of lamb’s ears, a pollinator-attracting plant that invites children to touch its soft leaves. Allaway also details plants known for their calming fragrances, including jasmine, chocolate cosmos, lavender, and lemon balm, and emphasizes the therapeutic power of sound, citing ornamental grasses that rustle gently in the breeze as a means to soothe frayed nerves.
Water, too, is presented as a significant factor in garden wellbeing. Allaway references research indicating that individuals living in proximity to water tend to be healthier and happier, making water lilies a natural inclusion in her recommendations. The book also features a variety of herbs, many of which have traditional medicinal uses, with claims of their ability to uplift mood, aid digestion, alleviate cold symptoms, headaches, and nausea, and even assist in managing mental health conditions like depression. A dedicated section on houseplants underscores their role in boosting mental wellbeing and improving mood, a finding supported by RHS research. For those seeking low-maintenance options, the book includes easy-to-care-for plants that thrive on neglect, such as the snake plant, spider plant, and string of hearts, acknowledging that the simple act of nurturing healthy plants, regardless of their upkeep requirements, contributes to our own happiness.
