The Garden Well Journal

Share this post

Discussion Thread: How did you get into gardening?

thegardenwelljournal.substack.com

Discover more from The Garden Well Journal

Seasonal and mindful moments from my wildlife friendly wellbeing garden in Northumberland.
Continue reading
Sign in

Discussion Thread: How did you get into gardening?

Share your story.

Claire Gardner
Mar 18, 2023
4
Share this post

Discussion Thread: How did you get into gardening?

thegardenwelljournal.substack.com
10
Share
green metal garden shovel filled with brown soil
Photo by Neslihan Gunaydin on Unsplash

No one on my family is what they’d call a keen gardener. I didn’t have Grandparents with an allotment, or memories of actually doing any gardening as I grew up. Although I do remember the garden always felt like a happy place, with picnics, barbecues and paddling pools. My mam loves her garden but she’s the first to admit that she doesn’t really know what she’s doing. She chooses plants based on their aesthetic alone and hopes for the best that they’ll like their chosen spot in her garden.

My love for gardening developed in my 30s, mostly thanks to a weekly visit to the garden centre café and soft play with my youngest son before he started school. Over time, what began as a vague desire to make the garden feel a bit more presentable grew into something much more tangible. Having gone through a tough time of anxiety and low mood there were two things that really helped, journaling and my garden. Both of which now play an integral role in me taking care of my mental health.

My garden is my sanctuary. It’s where I go to relax, reflect, meditate and journal. It’s the place I feel most like myself, most at home.

In this week’s journal I’d love to open up this conversation and hear more about you. How did you get into gardening? Do you have childhood memories of gardening? Has gardening supported you during a tough time? What joy do you find in gardening?

I’ll be checking in on the comments regularly as I can’t wait to hear your stories and chat about all the wonderful things our gardens do for us.

With love,

Claire x

The Garden Well Journal is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

4
Share this post

Discussion Thread: How did you get into gardening?

thegardenwelljournal.substack.com
10
Share
Previous
Next
10 Comments
Share this discussion

Discussion Thread: How did you get into gardening?

thegardenwelljournal.substack.com
Claire Venus
Writes Sparkle on Substack
Mar 18Liked by Claire Gardner

Honestly?! There was a strip in my ex boyfriends garden and I was always home 2 hours before him so I would make an iced coffee and plant things. Sweet peas went well. There were roses and I would weed too. It wasn’t much but it was so lovely! We had an incredibly magical garden growing up - wooden Wendy house, two huge ponds with bridges over, lots of colour and grasses - it was really special! In my mind I want that for the kids but we struggle with being on a terrace - it’s so busy and fun beyond the garden gate!! 😆✨🌺✨

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
3 replies by Claire Gardner and others
Sarah Shotts
Writes Kindle Curiosity
Mar 18Liked by Claire Gardner

As newlweds there was an empty garden bed in the backyard. I plonked a few herb plants in. They lived AND we could cook with them. 🤯 Every year I have planted more.

Growing up my dad was the gardener I didn't really connect with it. I don't think the plants he grew (mostly succulents which I think you call house leeks?) inspired me. During winter we were always having to bring them in and out of the house. Looking back I can see how much he must have enjoyed that while his health let him do it. He was an amputee so he had a "Scoot and Do" stool with wheels to scoot around the garden.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
3 replies by Claire Gardner and others
8 more comments...
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Claire Gardner
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing