The 5 senses of gardening... SOUND

Arit Anderson considers the enriching natural soundscapes of our gardens and how you can choose plants and other elements to create a more calming or energising atmosphere

- Arit Anderson

Every day we rely on our senses - sight, sound, smell, touch and taste to help us navigate through the world. It's our sensory experiences that enrich our day-to-day lives. And there's no better place than a garden to explore all five senses, igniting them through the myriad interventions and plants we can use to make our outdoor spaces come alive.

This month, sound is the sense that I want to delve into. We're going to discover the science and emotions of why sound matters.

So grab a drink, switch off your phone and find a seat in a garden or outside space where you can settle down with me and listen to the sounds around you.

Very simply, sound is created when objects vibrate, causing movement in the air that forms a sound wave. This wave enters our outer ear, travels down the ear canal and reaches the inner ear, where tiny hair cells detect it and convert it into electrical signals. The auditory nerve then sends these signals to the brain, which interprets them into something we recognise. The mechanics of our ears are extraordinary.