The Benefits of Gardening

Nothing beats cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients. Whether you have a large garden, a terrace, or just a sunny windowsill, growing your own produce is a great way to save money, reduce food miles, and enjoy the satisfaction of homegrown flavours.

Gardening is also well known for its positive effects on health and wellbeing. The physical activity involved—whether light or strenuous—improves mobility and overall health. Spending time in nature has been shown to have a calming, stress-relieving effect, and the repetitive, meditative nature of gardening tasks helps regulate serotonin and cortisol levels, hormones that influence stress and mood.

Mental resilience is another benefit of gardening. Being adaptable to change and uncertainty, while maintaining a sense of calm, is key to resilience. Research cited by the RHS suggests that experiencing a nature-rich outdoor environment can help overcome mental fatigue and restore both body and mind. Even small gardening tasks, like tending to plants or observing wildlife, contribute to this sense of restoration.

If you’re looking for a rewarding way to spend February, here are a few ideas inspired by what we’re doing in the garden at Goldstone Hall Hotel that you can try at home.

Get Sowing to Get Growing

February is an ideal month to start sowing seeds for a variety of popular crops. Early sowing gives plants time to develop strong roots before the growing season begins.

Chillies, Tomatoes, Peppers & Aubergines

These heat-loving crops require a warm start, so a heated propagator or warm windowsill is perfect. Sow seeds in seed compost, cover lightly, and allow them to germinate. Once seedlings appear, keep them at 16-18°C and prick them out once they develop their first true leaves.

Hungarian Hot Wax – A mild chilli variety, great for beginners.
Carolina Reaper – Not for the faint-hearted! This is one of the hottest chillies in the world, and at Goldstone, we’re growing two colour varieties this year both are hot hot hot!

Onions & Shallots

Onions can be sown now with gentle warmth, but once they germinate, move them to a cooler spot to help prevent bolting. Shallots, however, prefer to stay warm until they are planted out.

Chitting Potatoes

Start chitting your potatoes by placing seed potatoes in a tray or egg box with the ‘rose end’ (where the buds are concentrated) facing up. Keep them in a warm, dark place to encourage new shoots before planting.

Visit Goldstone

Take time out from the hustle and bustle and treat yourself to a cozy winter getaway at Goldstone! A Georgian manor house and restaurant with 12 comfortable bedrooms overlooking the rolling tree-strewn hills of the North Shropshire countryside. Boasting 5 acres of award-winning gardens, including a productive one-acre kitchen garden.

Enjoy our Winter Warmer Break, where comfort meets charm. This special offer includes: