69 Comments
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Caroline H's avatar

Welcome back. So pleased to hear from you and that you're emerging and gardening again. I'm really looking forward to working in my garden through Spring, knowing you're doing some of that too. All best wishes (and totally agree about the pressures of content creation!)

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Hello again ;-) Thank you! That’s very kind. Yes, let’s get some spring gardening done! I’ve spent today searching the garden for tools and trays. They’re everywhere!

Nikole Miles's avatar

Welcome back to the sun! Be kind to yourself, it is so good to hear you are back in the garden

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you! The sun is actually shining while I’m typing. The sky is blue. Hope is kindled.

Christine Mortimer's avatar

So lovely to see you back again, I have often thought how you were doing as we have all endured at least 90 days of endless rain throughout January and February in the UK so far.... Be gentle with yourself Spring will hopefully be round the corner soon.

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you! Very kind of you to think of me. It has been a struggle, but Spring is round the corner, as you say. And that is always an encouraging thought ;-)

Helen Hazell's avatar

Welcome back Elliott, you have been missed. I am so sorry to read your were hit not only by 'flu, but a double dose of pneumonia.

Your writing is truly wonderful.

What dreadfully wet weather we have been having, like you. I am on a hill, so have escaped flooding. My chickens might not agree, how can water lie in a slope? My lawns are far too wet to walk on and tend to borders, but I have managed little bits from paths.

After seeing one of your posts last year, my daughter bought me a Hakon Grass for my birthday, my husband thought it was dead! I am looking forward to seeing it flourish.

I look forward to seeing your posts again Elliott, as and when you are ready, don't overdo it and do take care. 💚💚

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Hello again ;-) Thank you very much for your kind words. They mean a great deal. Very much appreciated.

It has been filthy, hasn’t it? Utterly dreadful. Don’t worry abut the Hakon. Super tough plants. In a week or so you’ll see fresh shoots and by April a flush of bright green growth.

Helen Hazell's avatar

I am so looking forward to the Hakon greening up! Take care. 💚

SuzieQ's avatar

I am so sorry you have had to endure such a horrible time. You have taken a very sensible decision about content. Your writing is precious and will be welcomed by us all whenever you feel able.

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you! That’s very kind. I think so too. Some people can do it freely. Some even want to be an ‘influencer’. I’m quite content to just garden and share with you.

Sophie van Gerwen's avatar

Glad to see you back here. I hope your garden is bringing you some comfort, Elliott.

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Hi Sophie! Hope you’re well? It is. In small bitesize portions ;-)

Sophie van Gerwen's avatar

That’s it! I started the 10 minute garden club over on insta for this very reason. When I was so ill last year I couldn’t garden for long but every little bit counts!

TheGardeningKind's avatar

That's a wonderful idea. Bitesize gardening. People are so busy. It's a luxury to be able to spend hours on the garden. Most people simply can't. Great stuff Sophie x

Sophie van Gerwen's avatar

absolutely!

Trainspotter's avatar

Your gardening spirit inspires because of who you are. Stay true. Your follower in Atlanta, GA. 🌱

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you! That’s very kind.

Mumrah's avatar

Welcome back, so good to see your words again you were missed . So sorry to hear that you’ve been going through such a tough time topped by influenza and pneumonia….. no words other than make sure you are kind to yourself write as and when you feel like it, no pressure no time limits . 💚

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Hello again ;-) Thank you very much for your kind words. They mean a great deal.

Janine Barry's avatar

Hi Elliott, what a lovely article and your garden is gorgeous ❤️. So sorry to hear you had a few months of not being well but glad you are recovering slowly. Mental health is so important and I, too, find gardening the best medicine. I look forward to seeing and hearing how your garden unfolds this year. Take care of yourself 🥰

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you! Much appreciated.

Karin rouse's avatar

Reading your post this morning has left me feeling much more peaceful and ready to venture into my garden. To see it as a place of quiet me time working at my own pace.

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Such a wonderful compliment, thank you. I think if there is one place we should be able to escape our hectic lives, it’s in our own gardens 💚

Natalie Fanning's avatar

Lovely to see you back again. I think there is something quite liberating with the garden of not rushing to do everything. Going at a pace that suits you. As for Instagram and social media, I often wonder how it must feel to constantly need to feed the machine. I think, personally, that if you post at all it should be what you want and when you want to. If you want to at all. If that doesn’t work for some people, then so be it. For the rest of us? It’s enough.

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you Natalie. I really appreciate that. I admit I was suckered in by ‘more is better’. Now it’ll be quality over quantity. If I do go back to insta, I think maybe just one of two posts per week… rather than the crazy 2 posts per day! What was I thinking?! It seems Susbatckers are a very compassionate and understanding bunch ;-)

Jo Smith's avatar

Lovely to hear from you. Small changes matter and dormant soil holds promise.

Kjchase's avatar

So good to hear your steps to recovery for you and your garden 🪏. I am in the throes of the flu right now so can empathize with you. Your Substack is yours. Do with it as you wish. I love the beauty of your words and seeing the progress of your gardens. Thank you for sharing your journey

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you very much! Very kind of you. Hope you get well soon. Take good care of yourself. There’s some really nasty strains out there!

Lynne's avatar

Well hello! And welcome back, and I hope that you’re able to soon enjoy your garden again. I’m sure we’ve all missed your lovely gentle garden writing and musings but I’m sorry you’ve been experiencing such a tough time. It also sounds like a lot of pressure having to create so much content. A slow down sounds perfect and I would be perfectly happy to read anything you are able to put out, no matter how small or how often. Take care

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you Lynne. That’s very kind of you to say. I’ve gone back to making little notes in my notebook or on my phone. It’s so nice and gentle.

Naz Greenwood's avatar

I really feel this! I’m currently nursing a poorly dog and unable to get out into the garden as much as I had planned and it’s really getting me down! Glad you’ve managed to play catch up on your gardening! Hopefully I’ll be in the same position soon

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Oh I am sorry to hear that. Hope your poorly pup gets well soon!

Naz Greenwood's avatar

Thank you! I appreciate that! Looks like he will back to normal in the next month or so and I’ll be back out in the garden where I’m at my happiest

Angela Arnold's avatar

Welcome back....so good to see you ...so missed seeing photos of your beautiful garden..

Take care...slowly..slowly..💚💚💚

TheGardeningKind's avatar

Thank you Angela