Oh wow! I’m a new reader and had no clue how recent this is for you. My story is very similar, but from Canada in 2014—(burnout, move, oooh pretty plants, maybe I’ll start some seeds).
Ooh I’m interested to know, Celia, since you’re further along in this journey what your relationship is with it now. I don’t know whether it’s like falling in love but eventually the magic will wear off…
The magic certainly remains. There’s always something new to learn or try. I feel more accomplished now, both like I have a reasonably good idea what I’m doing and an even better idea what I don’t know and what questions to ask. I still try crazy things, but they’re crazy in different ways. For me, as well as art, gardening is a low-stakes constant experiment in changing conditions— so it’s always interesting and new. In 2024, here in southern Ontario, we basically didn’t have winter (or at least didn’t have a Canadian-style winter), hardly any snow, early spring, wet summer, dry autumn and frost was 6 weeks late. This winter is already different, so who knows? My experiments this coming year include starting native plants from seed to create a boulevard (hellstrip, area between the sidewalk and road) garden in spring. We’ll see how that goes. And tulips in pots for the first time. And then editing/refining/fixing what failed in my paradise garden (new in 2023). I’m running out of spaces to garden!
This is so well said, Celia, thank you. I think the sense of always learning, along with (exactly as you say) the low-stakes trying and failing is what I love about it. And that it is creative in a way that 10 years in law had absolutely crushed out of me. I hope your boulevard is a great success! x
What a transformation - both the garden and yourself! Being drawn to a garden during a life changing moment reminds me of the events that lead to my own gardening journey. And I can tell you, it only gets better and gives you more than you could ever know! Looking forward to following your journey.
This post has so inspired me! We moved last year to be nearer my husband's parents but we know we won't be here for many years and our garden is a boring old square and seeing what you achieved in such a short space of time is truly inspiring!
I love your enthusiasm and how much you’ve achieved in a ridiculously short space of time. Well done. Once the gardening bug bites, you’re converted forever, trust me. Some people try to grow a few things, fail out of inexperience, so decide they can’t do it and give up. The test of a true gardener is the person that doesn’t give in at that point. The garden itself will always be your best teacher if you take the time to observe and learn. Keep growing!
Thank you so much, Zoe! I truly am hooked. I can't imagine ever giving it up now. It has grounded me, cured me, *and* brought me joy. Oh yes, I'm in for the long haul.
What a lovely read, thank you (and for the beautiful photos!). It's inspiring to learn more about your adventure with gardening so far, and it gives me hope that beginners can have some early success and satisfaction. I'm just starting out too, also prompted by 'burnout' (two very young children, postnatal depression and a high octane job). We've recently moved from London to the sticks, and after 18 years of having zero or very minimal outside space I now have a large-ish garden to manage and I've no idea where to start. Lots of enthusiasm but no clue really! Looking forward to following your gardening in 2025; I hope the magic doesn't wear off for you 😊.
I'm sorry to hear that your path to gardening has been rocky. But I am THRILLED for you and your new garden! I will follow along with interest! I think let the enthusiasm carry you through - we're not shooting for Chelsea medals here, we just want lovely environments to enjoy! I am trying to remember that this is not something to take too seriously, and something to see as *play* rather than work. I hope you find healing and happiness in your garden, as I have in mine. Lots of love for 2025! x
Thank you so much 😊. I'm definitely on the same page when it comes to 'playing' - the chapter of life I'm in right now doesn't lend itself to the time to take anything too seriously so I'm just dipping in when I can, reading as much as I can, finding inspiration in stories like yours, and trying out small experiments (this is my first time growing anything from seed and it is blockbuster movie THRILLING! 🤓). Healing and happiness are the goals! x
Oh my god, the first seed sowing... I thought I'd learnt my lesson last year but another big box arrived yesterday from Chiltern Seeds. 🤦♀️ I need a much, much bigger garden! But it just seems like total magic. That's partly why I don't want to do any 'proper' gardening courses. I worry that the science will ruin the magic and the fun 😂
🤣 oh I can relate. I know next to nothing about gardening and have vanishingly little child-free time to get in the soil yet somehow I have a seed box stuffed to the gunnels (albeit mostly with free seed packs harvested from shows!), and a teeny tiny plastic 'greenhouse' full to the rafters with seedlings (which I stupidly forgot to label when a baby woke up from their nap, so they could be spinach, winter salad mix or borecole...who knows 🤔?). I saw you keep your seeds in the fridge - is that something I should/could be doing? X
Haha! Omg labelling things. I came very late to the party on that one... The great thing is you'll find out soon enough! I was going to say "just be patient" but to me that is practically an insult. Re the fridge, it started because I really didn't have anywhere else to put them. My house is old but it's pretty warm. I didn't really have another 'cool, dry place' for them. I'll see whether any of them sprout successfully this year and let you know if it was a good plan...
What a garden, and how amazing that you went from anti-garden to growing 27 varieties of cosmos (I didn't know there were so many!). I have a small garden too so your pots are very inspiring. And those roses! And I'm so sorry for your loss. My dad died this year and I can't imagine what I would have done without the garden.
Oh wow! I’m a new reader and had no clue how recent this is for you. My story is very similar, but from Canada in 2014—(burnout, move, oooh pretty plants, maybe I’ll start some seeds).
Ooh I’m interested to know, Celia, since you’re further along in this journey what your relationship is with it now. I don’t know whether it’s like falling in love but eventually the magic will wear off…
The magic certainly remains. There’s always something new to learn or try. I feel more accomplished now, both like I have a reasonably good idea what I’m doing and an even better idea what I don’t know and what questions to ask. I still try crazy things, but they’re crazy in different ways. For me, as well as art, gardening is a low-stakes constant experiment in changing conditions— so it’s always interesting and new. In 2024, here in southern Ontario, we basically didn’t have winter (or at least didn’t have a Canadian-style winter), hardly any snow, early spring, wet summer, dry autumn and frost was 6 weeks late. This winter is already different, so who knows? My experiments this coming year include starting native plants from seed to create a boulevard (hellstrip, area between the sidewalk and road) garden in spring. We’ll see how that goes. And tulips in pots for the first time. And then editing/refining/fixing what failed in my paradise garden (new in 2023). I’m running out of spaces to garden!
This is so well said, Celia, thank you. I think the sense of always learning, along with (exactly as you say) the low-stakes trying and failing is what I love about it. And that it is creative in a way that 10 years in law had absolutely crushed out of me. I hope your boulevard is a great success! x
What a transformation - both the garden and yourself! Being drawn to a garden during a life changing moment reminds me of the events that lead to my own gardening journey. And I can tell you, it only gets better and gives you more than you could ever know! Looking forward to following your journey.
That is so wonderful to hear, Cass, thank you. I'm very glad you found it, too. It has been - as you say - completely transformational!
This post has so inspired me! We moved last year to be nearer my husband's parents but we know we won't be here for many years and our garden is a boring old square and seeing what you achieved in such a short space of time is truly inspiring!
Oh Dominique, you are so, so kind. Thank you so much! And I'm THRILLED if it inspires you to garden.
I love your enthusiasm and how much you’ve achieved in a ridiculously short space of time. Well done. Once the gardening bug bites, you’re converted forever, trust me. Some people try to grow a few things, fail out of inexperience, so decide they can’t do it and give up. The test of a true gardener is the person that doesn’t give in at that point. The garden itself will always be your best teacher if you take the time to observe and learn. Keep growing!
Thank you so much, Zoe! I truly am hooked. I can't imagine ever giving it up now. It has grounded me, cured me, *and* brought me joy. Oh yes, I'm in for the long haul.
What a lovely read, thank you (and for the beautiful photos!). It's inspiring to learn more about your adventure with gardening so far, and it gives me hope that beginners can have some early success and satisfaction. I'm just starting out too, also prompted by 'burnout' (two very young children, postnatal depression and a high octane job). We've recently moved from London to the sticks, and after 18 years of having zero or very minimal outside space I now have a large-ish garden to manage and I've no idea where to start. Lots of enthusiasm but no clue really! Looking forward to following your gardening in 2025; I hope the magic doesn't wear off for you 😊.
I'm sorry to hear that your path to gardening has been rocky. But I am THRILLED for you and your new garden! I will follow along with interest! I think let the enthusiasm carry you through - we're not shooting for Chelsea medals here, we just want lovely environments to enjoy! I am trying to remember that this is not something to take too seriously, and something to see as *play* rather than work. I hope you find healing and happiness in your garden, as I have in mine. Lots of love for 2025! x
Thank you so much 😊. I'm definitely on the same page when it comes to 'playing' - the chapter of life I'm in right now doesn't lend itself to the time to take anything too seriously so I'm just dipping in when I can, reading as much as I can, finding inspiration in stories like yours, and trying out small experiments (this is my first time growing anything from seed and it is blockbuster movie THRILLING! 🤓). Healing and happiness are the goals! x
Oh my god, the first seed sowing... I thought I'd learnt my lesson last year but another big box arrived yesterday from Chiltern Seeds. 🤦♀️ I need a much, much bigger garden! But it just seems like total magic. That's partly why I don't want to do any 'proper' gardening courses. I worry that the science will ruin the magic and the fun 😂
🤣 oh I can relate. I know next to nothing about gardening and have vanishingly little child-free time to get in the soil yet somehow I have a seed box stuffed to the gunnels (albeit mostly with free seed packs harvested from shows!), and a teeny tiny plastic 'greenhouse' full to the rafters with seedlings (which I stupidly forgot to label when a baby woke up from their nap, so they could be spinach, winter salad mix or borecole...who knows 🤔?). I saw you keep your seeds in the fridge - is that something I should/could be doing? X
Haha! Omg labelling things. I came very late to the party on that one... The great thing is you'll find out soon enough! I was going to say "just be patient" but to me that is practically an insult. Re the fridge, it started because I really didn't have anywhere else to put them. My house is old but it's pretty warm. I didn't really have another 'cool, dry place' for them. I'll see whether any of them sprout successfully this year and let you know if it was a good plan...
Glad it's not just me with mystery seedlings 🤣. And yes, I would love to hear how it goes with your fridge stash - thank you! X
What a garden, and how amazing that you went from anti-garden to growing 27 varieties of cosmos (I didn't know there were so many!). I have a small garden too so your pots are very inspiring. And those roses! And I'm so sorry for your loss. My dad died this year and I can't imagine what I would have done without the garden.