How to grow a garden

Gardener Ellen Mary has a new book out today, and this time it’s a beginner’s guide called How to Grow a Garden. Here, she explains how it contains all the answers to the questions she gets asked daily!

You were last featured a year or so ago, when The Joy of Gardening came out – what have you been up to since?

Mostly enjoying gardening! At other times, I have been writing my new book, working on the plant-based podcast, and speaking at some of the RHS shows this year. It’s been nice to be able to write and speak to audiences this year not just about gardening and nature for wellbeing but also how to incorporate more plants into our diet from growing to cooking and everything in between. 

Do you get the feeling that more and more people are discovering the joy of gardening now?

Throughout the last few years, as we spent more time at home, it became really clear how we craved being outside. People discovered the joys of going for a walk, spending time in their own gardens, growing their first carrots. So many more people began to garden and grow their own food, and the horticulture industry had a huge increase in demand. It’s even noticeable on social media with many more gardening accounts and related tags. It’s fantastic to see the nation fall in love with gardening.

What is your new book, How to Grow a Garden all about? Is it aimed at beginners in particular?

After The Joy of Gardening was released in 2021, which is about gardening for wellbeing, I really wanted to expand on the practical side of gardening especially with so many people new to gardening – and the increase in questions I get daily! I decided to cover all the questions I am generally asked but also include aspects of gardening that someone who had never planted anything before would ask. From reading a plant label to botany basics and gardening in small spaces, it’s everything I could think of that will help someone new to gardening.  

What else are you up to this summer? You’re busy travelling the country, giving talks?

Garden show talks are over now for the summer, so my main talks are now with garden clubs and companies as part of their wellbeing strategy. Also, back in 2020 I included a ‘wellbeing studio’ on my website called People Plants Wellbeing, full of information and stories from people who love plants. I have been expanding that to become a standalone studio with some very exciting changes and updates soon. 

What’s next for you? Is there another book in the pipeline?

There’s always another book. Watch this space!

How to Grow a Garden: A beginner’s guide to creating a thriving outdoor space, by Ellen Mary is printed by Greenfinch_Books/Quercus Books and is available on Amazon.co.uk. Also, visit Ellen Mary Gardening.

Featured image of Ellen Mary, by Caroline Horne