The Root of all Joy

‍Last weekend we were invited to visit a friend’s allotment. This allotment is very special; it won Gardena Top of The Plots 2025 and with good reason. Steve Mills Allotment. Anyway, as Steve showed us around his three adjoining plots, his enthusiasm and devotion to his plants was palpable. It’s such a labour of love. And it made me think: how lucky are we, who love our gardens, to feel this way.

The love of gardening transcends all colour, creed, class and age. It bonds communities and fosters disenfranchised people. It nurtures us and brings out the best in us. Gardeners love to share; they give away rooted cuttings, seedlings and divisions. Steve thought nothing of cutting me a bunch of the most beautiful peonies to take home, as well as donating a bag full of hyacinth bulbs for our local community garden. Open hearted generosity.

I recognised in him the pleasure you get from showing other like-minded people what you’ve created. We opened our garden for the National Garden Scheme charities for ten years, regularly attracting nearly 200 visitors each time. And from my perspective the best thing about it, was being able to show off! Chatting to the visitors about your trials and triumphs, your future plans, offering advice on how to grow this and that; magic!

When I visit nurseries – and those of you who follow me on Facebook will know that rarely a week goes by without my regular fix – I love to chat to other customers as we browse the same plants. Admittedly, they often think I work there. You get to know the staff, a friendly, Hello, you here again? A café is a must, coffee and cake, surrounded by colour, is a real treat.

As soon as I walk through our allotment gates, traffic noise disappears, replaced by bird song and peace. The tempo slows, along with my blood pressure. There is a sort of allotment etiquette, where everybody greets one another. We chat about our successes and failures and readily give away our excess produce. Last summer I was able to make delicious damson jam, from a bag full of fruit, left on the Swaps table.

I am a self-confessed gardening bore, rarely engaging in any other topic of conversation. And do you know what, I don’t care! I am supremely happy in my garden bubble.

Love, Caroline

Cover photo: Our garden in June.