Not quite feeling it?

I don’t know about you, but this time of year can feel strange.

Winter has dragged on long enough, the light is changing, buds are swelling, and suddenly there’s this quiet pressure to do something in the garden. As if spring arriving means we should magically have the energy, money, and enthusiasm to match. If you don’t, that’s completely okay - I know for a fact I'm limited on all three right now and I'm simply working on accepting that.

If your garden feels a bit overwhelming right now, or you’re avoiding looking at it altogether, you’re not doing anything wrong. Late winter into early spring is not the moment for forced efforts, unless you're that way inclined.

The garden is still half asleep and so, in many ways, are we still. Plants (and nature as a whole) know what they’re doing far better than we give them credit for. Please just know that leaving things alone a little longer very rarely causes any harm.

If all you do this week is notice the light changing, or spot the first signs of growth while passing by, that’s enough for now. Just notice and be present.

There’s a lot of noise out there about what you 'should' be doing in the garden at this time of year. Prune this rose, clear that bed, get ahead before it’s too late - but gardens aren’t checklists. They can be, but don't let that rule you or make you feel pressured into getting something done -especially when rest may serve you far better right now.

A few seed heads left standing, plants flopping where they want to flop, borders that haven’t been tidied yet, none of that means you’ve failed - it means you're human with many other things going on in your life.

If a small burst of energy appears, embrace it gently. One pot watered, one path cleared so it’s easier to walk through. Five minutes sitting outside, even if it’s still cold (remember the hot cup of tea... and biscuits) just to feel the season shifting. Stop before you’re tired. These small, seemingly insignificant actions are often where the best garden planning inadvertently occurs.

When you’re not rushing around, it’s often easier to notice what’s not working in the garden anymore. The area you avoid, the view that could be more beautiful, the part that always feels like hard work and never quite pays you back.

This kind of noticing is the beginning of good garden design. Not digging, not buying plants, just being present & allowing yourself time to think.

When you’re ready, that’s where I might be able to help...

If and when you start to feel a bit more energy, this is exactly the point where my Concept Only garden design packages can help with feelings of overwhelm.

They’re designed for people who don’t want a full redesign or a big commitment, just some clear, thoughtful direction for your garden space.

A way to see your garden differently, to truly understand its potential and to have a plan you can come back to when time, energy, or finances allow.

Gardens don’t need to be fixed all at once. They can develop, slowly and surely, over time - just like we do.

So if your garden is quiet right now, if you are too, that's absolutely OK. Spring is coming, gently but surely, with brighter days ahead. Take care of yourself, E

The garden feels very bare and yet somehow overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. I'm holding onto memories like this where the sun is shining, you could feel the warmth of the sun on your face and green is everywhere again! It wont be long... Keep going.