Why the imperfect gardener?

I first had the idea of starting a new blog in the spring of last year. I thought about how I would describe my gardening style and the word that kept coming up was imperfect:
I am a bit chaotic; I break the 'rules'; I am inspired by a diversity of influences; I do things at the wrong time and in the wrong way; I am constantly learning, reviewing and adapting; I am mercurial. I reckon that all this makes me a pretty normal gardener.

I wanted to present my gardening thoughts, reflections and inspirations in an accessible way without a voice of all-knowing authority. This was my initial motivation behind The Imperfect Gardener.

Then in early summer I became very ill. I have had spinal problems since I was ten and had extensive surgery in my late teens and early twenties, which means I am often stiff and achey, but what gardener doesn't get twinges and aches after a good session in the garden or on the allotment? My illness though took me beyond this with a massive auto-immune rection to an unknown something, which left me severely weakened, virtually unable to walk or to move my arms. I could barely lift a cup of herbal tea let alone a kettle, needed help to get dressed and had to use an electric seat to get in and out of the bath.

Now recovering, supported by good physio and medication, I have come to own the concept of being an imperfect gardener as something much more personal: this is about the whole me, the imperfection that is about more than just the way I do, it's about how I am.

I am struck by how often the theme of the therapeutic value of horticulture comes up as our society seemingly becomes more fractious and troubled. The impact of connectedness with the soil on our mental and physical health; the healing it gives to those experiencing loss, grief and distress and how it can enrich the lives of people living with severe disabilities are all things highlighted in mainstream and social media channels.

I have worked all my adult life in health and social care, and have seen a huge growth (no pun intended) in horticultural projects for people with learning disabilities and those experiencing mental distress over the last decade. A real move away from the more institutionalized traditional day care centres which were the only care option for many people. The newer projects not only seek to help participants develop practical and social skills, but on a deeper level work to promote self-confidence, calm and well-being. Experiences can be collective, shared with others, or individual.

There are other growing projects too that bring together communities or re-engage those who have been excluded from society. Our allotment site has recently had loads of invaluable support from our local Community Payback team who have done some much-needed heavy and arduous maintence work for us. Plotholders and volunteers have shared tales and laughter over tea and cake. This breaks down boundaries and preconceptions on all sides.

We live in a world that is imperfect. Each of us has our own imperfections. Let's embrace them and for me, my celebration is in the being of an imperfect gardener. Imperfect physically, imperfect practically - what better start could there be?