Yes indeed. I have made not one but 5 separate places to sit in my small garden, each with a different aspect and character. And still I have to remind myself to stop doing and take time for just being, and use them.
Also - I so appreciated your section of GW last night. Thank you
This is beautiful and so right Elliot! I’m a novice gardener, so my lists are never ending but I try to pause and look at what has been achieved already (mostly by nature 💚). So looking forward to catching up on GW tonight💚
Thank you. Don't worry, the list doesn't decrease with experience ;-) There's always so much to do, especially at this time of year. I know from previous years I suffer from burnout having done so much in Spring. So I am taking a stand and resting.
Such a good point to make Elliott. Having worked non-stop in the garden yesterday you have inspired me to take a moment to sit today and take it all in. Which will then be followed with more painting of fences!
I also loved your segment on Gardeners World. My 11 yr old son watched with me and for once didn’t need to be instructed to keep quiet. He found your story inspirational and said your garden was stunning and that we should make ours look like yours 🥰. We then had a very long and good conversation about the importance of being outside for body and mind and mental health more generally. So as well as GW giving us the opportunity to see more of your beautiful garden, it is also facilitating conversations about mental health and nature. What a gift you have given to other people. Thank you 🙏 ♥️
Thank you Natalie. That's great to hear. Hope the fence-painting went well. Ah, that is so wonderful to hear. Truly. Thank you so much. I am really touched. Actually well-up.
Your garden glowed with light and love and kindness. It was so touching to recognize the garden and get to know you better. Thanks for being willing to share your life with all of us. I live in Pennsylvania on the East coast of USA.
Thank you! You’re very kind. So glad you were able to see it in the US. I was stopped at Chelsea by several fellow Americans. It still amazes me that gardeners so far away recognise me and my garden.
Wow, what a wonderful nudge and very much needed here. I often forget to sit and stare, even though we have seats in various places of our small garden and I confess that I love ticking off the "to do list" jobs.. Perhaps, this is the day to change all that and take a moment or two as you suggested.
I also wanted to say congratulations on a wonderful GW debut. It was so moving and inspirational, so thank you for sharing the joy that your beautiful garden brings you and for sharing it with us. I can't believe it's only six years old and we rewound that bit to double check!
Have a wonderful day in the garden doing nothing at all. ❤️
Thank you very much. I know how much pleasure there is to be found in ticking lists, but so much more when I learned how to switch off for half an hour and just enjoy it.
Thank you that's extremely kind of you. Yes, the Flower Garden was planted in January 2021 and established incredibly well.
So true, it's easy to get swept away with the hustle of life, keeping up with all our commitments to lose touch with the garden. I really found the value of my garden during lockdown and try to spent as much time as I can enjoying it!
This is one of the most beautiful essays I have ever read. With tears on my cheeks I am now going into my garden. As others have already said, I found your appearance on GW very moving. Be proud of your huge achievements.
Your performance at the BBC was emotional, and yet very sensitive - you were not exposed at all but positively introduced. The (probably huge) audience saw a man brave enough to talk about mental health, but most importantly they saw someone who has created an inspiring and wonderful, lovely garden in just a few years and who exuded a great deal of expertise. Well done, you can be proud of yourself and all your achievements.
And: Monty referred to your hostas with a bit of envy😉
Thank you! That's extremely kind of you. I am really touched. I've had some time now to let it all sink in and I am proud of my achievement. And yes I think he was a touch envious ;-)
So true! I need to practice this. Make it a routine. A habit. I should pick a bouquet for my bedside table. Set up a little table ouf in the garden and do some painting. Sit and read a book with a cuppa. Lets remind each other!
It does take practice. A timer on my phone gives me that little nudge. A bouquet sounds perfect! Who wouldn't want that. Lots of ideas there. You're on your way.
Yes indeed. I have made not one but 5 separate places to sit in my small garden, each with a different aspect and character. And still I have to remind myself to stop doing and take time for just being, and use them.
Also - I so appreciated your section of GW last night. Thank you
Ah, that sounds lovely. Same here. A bench here and there. Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
This is beautiful and so right Elliot! I’m a novice gardener, so my lists are never ending but I try to pause and look at what has been achieved already (mostly by nature 💚). So looking forward to catching up on GW tonight💚
Thank you. Don't worry, the list doesn't decrease with experience ;-) There's always so much to do, especially at this time of year. I know from previous years I suffer from burnout having done so much in Spring. So I am taking a stand and resting.
Such a good point to make Elliott. Having worked non-stop in the garden yesterday you have inspired me to take a moment to sit today and take it all in. Which will then be followed with more painting of fences!
I also loved your segment on Gardeners World. My 11 yr old son watched with me and for once didn’t need to be instructed to keep quiet. He found your story inspirational and said your garden was stunning and that we should make ours look like yours 🥰. We then had a very long and good conversation about the importance of being outside for body and mind and mental health more generally. So as well as GW giving us the opportunity to see more of your beautiful garden, it is also facilitating conversations about mental health and nature. What a gift you have given to other people. Thank you 🙏 ♥️
Thank you Natalie. That's great to hear. Hope the fence-painting went well. Ah, that is so wonderful to hear. Truly. Thank you so much. I am really touched. Actually well-up.
Beautiful! I don't look on these as wasted moments but essential ones. Maybe that's why my to do list keeps extending 😄
I think you have exactly the right balance. Let the list get longer. The essential thing is that you are happy.
Yes, it is so important to take those moments Elliott. Enjoy taking yours today.
Thank you Helen
Your garden glowed with light and love and kindness. It was so touching to recognize the garden and get to know you better. Thanks for being willing to share your life with all of us. I live in Pennsylvania on the East coast of USA.
Thank you! You’re very kind. So glad you were able to see it in the US. I was stopped at Chelsea by several fellow Americans. It still amazes me that gardeners so far away recognise me and my garden.
Good morning Elliot,
Wow, what a wonderful nudge and very much needed here. I often forget to sit and stare, even though we have seats in various places of our small garden and I confess that I love ticking off the "to do list" jobs.. Perhaps, this is the day to change all that and take a moment or two as you suggested.
I also wanted to say congratulations on a wonderful GW debut. It was so moving and inspirational, so thank you for sharing the joy that your beautiful garden brings you and for sharing it with us. I can't believe it's only six years old and we rewound that bit to double check!
Have a wonderful day in the garden doing nothing at all. ❤️
Thank you very much. I know how much pleasure there is to be found in ticking lists, but so much more when I learned how to switch off for half an hour and just enjoy it.
Thank you that's extremely kind of you. Yes, the Flower Garden was planted in January 2021 and established incredibly well.
So true, it's easy to get swept away with the hustle of life, keeping up with all our commitments to lose touch with the garden. I really found the value of my garden during lockdown and try to spent as much time as I can enjoying it!
Absolutely. So glad you found your connection to the garden again.
This is one of the most beautiful essays I have ever read. With tears on my cheeks I am now going into my garden. As others have already said, I found your appearance on GW very moving. Be proud of your huge achievements.
ah, thank you so much. That's incredibly kind. Hope you enjoy your time in the garden. I've now set a timer on my phone to make sure I take the time.
Such an excellent reminder. Must try more of this wasting moments- I’m not good at it at all!
Thank you. It does take practice ;-)
Your performance at the BBC was emotional, and yet very sensitive - you were not exposed at all but positively introduced. The (probably huge) audience saw a man brave enough to talk about mental health, but most importantly they saw someone who has created an inspiring and wonderful, lovely garden in just a few years and who exuded a great deal of expertise. Well done, you can be proud of yourself and all your achievements.
And: Monty referred to your hostas with a bit of envy😉
Thank you! That's extremely kind of you. I am really touched. I've had some time now to let it all sink in and I am proud of my achievement. And yes I think he was a touch envious ;-)
So true! I need to practice this. Make it a routine. A habit. I should pick a bouquet for my bedside table. Set up a little table ouf in the garden and do some painting. Sit and read a book with a cuppa. Lets remind each other!
It does take practice. A timer on my phone gives me that little nudge. A bouquet sounds perfect! Who wouldn't want that. Lots of ideas there. You're on your way.
What a lovely reminder to Just be🙏your appearance on BBC Gardners world was very emotional but inspiring and I am sure will help others💜
Thank you x