Bringing Gardening & Wellbeing Together
Gardening is more than just plants and soil—it’s a journey of growth, creativity, and healing. I created Growing Design to share my passion for gardening and its incredible benefits for people of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re looking to learn, connect with nature, or improve your wellbeing, I’m here to help you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the outdoors.
About Me
Through Growing Design, I share my knowledge, creativity, and passion for helping others experience the joy of gardening. No matter your age or ability, I believe gardening should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Sue Kent, TV presenter and award-winning garden designer, gave a brilliant talk at our local garden club on making gardening more accessible. She shared her favourite tools, planting tips, and insights on hard landscaping. I had the pleasure of driving her to and from the event, which gave us time for a lovely, inspiring chat that really helped shape my thinking around show garden design.
We also heard from Steve Edney through the HPS, who spoke at Swine Meadow Nursery about transforming a large space into a stunning garden with a jungle border. He was easy to talk to and very encouraging about my passion for display borders. I even left with a beautiful Scilla peruviana.
Over Easter, I returned to Swine Meadow for a plant fair where Adam Frost was signing books. I brought How to Create Your Garden and picked up his latest, For the Love of Plants. After an hour of plant shopping—including a geranium—I finally had a great chat with Adam about getting designs featured in shows.
Wellbeing Gardens
Wellbeing gardens aren’t just one place—they’re spaces designed to support mental and physical health through gardening. Whether in a hospital, community setting, or private home, these gardens offer a chance to connect with nature, relax, and find a sense of peace.
I’m passionate about designing and working within wellbeing gardens to create spaces that encourage inclusivity, relaxation, and engagement. Through workshops, community projects, and events, I help people of all ages and abilities discover how gardening can boost wellbeing, from reducing stress to improving overall health.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, want to get involved, or need guidance on how to create your own wellbeing garden, I’d love to share my knowledge and experience with you!
Gardening with Me
If you’d love to develop your gardening skills or embark on a new green-fingered adventure, Gardening with Me is the perfect way to get started. I offer hands-on workshops, creative projects, and expert guidance, all tailored to your interests and abilities.
Whether you want to design a beautiful space, grow your own food, or simply enjoy the calming effects of gardening, I’ll help you find confidence and joy in the process.
Feel Good Gardening
The benefits of being outdoors and ‘green therapy’ are well known and if you’ve been craving the feel-good factor of being outside, we have a new column by Peterborough gardener Andrea Connor to help you.
