Shoots of hope

Lynne McNeil considers the new life witnessed in our parks and gardens with the dawn of Easter.

EASTER marks the changing of the season not just in churches but also in our gardens and wildlife.

The weekend of Easter Day usually brings a host of visitors to garden centres as the shoots of new life (like the promise of new life in our churches) encourages gardeners to prepare for the months of warmth and growth (in the northern hemisphere).

Such preparation now can drive some of the crops that can be harvested later in the year from church land or gardening projects. There are also fundraising possibilities for summer events with seedlings nurtured now maturing into plants which can be sold on for income generating projects later in the year.

But a garden is not an essential to grow a crop – a sunny windowsill or a planter on a balcony can be seeded with crops for herbs or tomatoes to offer a taste of home-grown produce later in the year. The best crops will depend on temperatures and climates – some seedlings are best propagated indoors until the risk of frost has passed, whilst hardier plants are better planted directly into where they will grow and flourish.

Some nurture seedlings for sale during Christian Aid week, whilst others save crops for sale during harvest, depending on location and timings of harvest services.

There is much joy to be derived from nurturing crops of flowers (even in the smallest way) and connecting with nature can deepen connections with God as wonderment grows at the nature of his bounty.

Easter is also the season associated with new life on our farms in the shape of chicks, lambs and calves. It is also the season of nesting and the re-emergence of life after the chill of winter and much wildlife can be found in and around gardens and parks.

With the dawn of Easter and the promise of brighter days, the season also brings holidays particularly for children and a raft of activities. Special Easter events often take place at Scotland’s parks and gardens. Whilst one of the best-known botanic gardens is primarily associated with Edinburgh, the charity behind the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh also operates on three other sites around Scotland: Benmore (in Argyll), Dawyck (in the Borders) and Logan (in Wigtownshire).

All are geared towards conservation and very often host special events and activities around Easter to encourage learning about nature and plants and also an appreciation for the beauty of the many species (some rare) which can be found in each of the gardens.

Scotland is blessed with a number of parks and gardens – many free to visit – which offer a moment of sanctuary and understanding.

For those who enjoy history, some spectacular gardens can be enjoyed on visits to National Trust properties including Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Branklyn Gardens in Perthsire and Inverewe in Wester Ross.

Whether green-fingered or not, the gardens of Scotland at Easter offer an opportunity for all to admire and nurture new life.