Chore blimey! Unearthing the joys of garden maintenance

Maintenance is such a boring word. Whether it's your house, pool or garden, it doesn't exactly scream "joy". But while we don't want to be slaves to our gardens, there is much to be gained from a little fiddling here and there in the backyard. Rather than thinking of gardening as a chore, consider what gardening can do for you.

When my partner and I first bought our terrace house, we inherited a "Greek lawn": all the garden beds had been concreted over and the only maintenance required was to hose it down every so often. One of our first jobs was to rent a jackhammer; we now have a vibrant little front garden which adds to the streetscape. I love tinkering about in it and it's a good chance to connect with neighbours and locals.

Artificial plants are low-maintenance and certainly drought-tolerant, but they are also horrible in every possible sense. To nurture a plant is to nurture oneself. And while weeding is potentially boring, if you adjust your attitude it can be a most satisfying activity. Focus on one area at a time and try different approaches: a frantic hour will help you rid yourself of any unwanted aggression, though a more Zen approach might work better for you.

If you're up for a challenge, clipping a hedge is a satisfying act that allows us to focus on the moment. Invest in a sharp pair of hand shears and before you know it you'll be Edward Scissorhands! And if it all just seems too much and you don't know where to start, hire a qualified horticulturalist every three months and learn from a professional.