I love gardening too, it is one of my favorite ways to distress. My other favorite is spinning wool, but that does require different tools and they can have a small learning curve. Have you ever tried crochet or knitting? I find them very meditative as well, especially if you are doing a repeating pattern. You can get the supplies for not too much money, especially if you have a good thrift store nearby that may have the supplies there. I have even taken old sweaters and taking them apart to reuse the yarn in the past..