Travel with Rick Steves
683a English Country Gardens; On Becoming a Gardener; In Praise of Wasting Time
May 17, 2025
Catie Marron, author of 'Becoming a Gardener,' shares her heartfelt journey of cultivating a garden that helped her find belonging in her new home. She highlights how gardening evokes emotional connections and personal fulfillment. Meanwhile, Alan Lightman, a theoretical physicist from MIT, discusses the vital role of unstructured time in fostering creativity and well-being, urging listeners to embrace moments of 'wasting time' as a counterbalance to our fast-paced lives. Together, they explore the therapeutic power of nature and silence.
52:00
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Quick takeaways
- English country gardens celebrate natural disorder and diversity, reflecting Romantic ideals that foster a deep connection to nature.
- Catie Marron's gardening journey illustrates how engaging with nature can provide solace and grounding during personal challenges.
Deep dives
Exploring English Gardens
The episode highlights the charm and variety of English country gardens, emphasizing their unique characteristics. Unlike manicured European gardens, true English gardens often embrace a degree of disorder and natural wildness, creating vibrant displays of color. Experts suggest that this intentional 'messiness' reflects the Romantic ideals of the 18th and 19th centuries, encouraging a connection to nature through diverse plantings. Examples of notable gardens, such as Hidcote and Sissinghurst, demonstrate how the blending of different plants can produce captivating environments that inspire creativity and tranquility.
