My Garden Story

Taking a Moment to Reflect

When was the last time you stopped for a while and observed all the beautiful things that already happened in your life? That one person, place, job, song, pet, painting, plant, or everything that came at the right time and inspired your life?

Well, for me there are many things to mention, but today I am focusing on that thing that took lots of physical energy from me but gave me a double portion of mental energy back. This article is about my beautiful garden. A place that became my challenge, my fitness studio, my safe space, my canvas, my inspiration, my nutrition, my place to meet with new and old friends, my grocery shop, my school of nature, my connection with animals, my connection with my feminine energy and a lot more.

Childhood Memories

Growing up back home there is a core memory that can never be replaced. The memory of my grandma’s garden: fig trees, olive trees, all kinds of seasonal vegetables and fruits and beautiful, colorful flowers. The garden was not something extravagant that you see these days. It was more like a place where a person would create to share the beauty and abundance of nature with family members and neighbors. But my favorite part was the scent of sweet peas that she grew every year.

So for me, moving abroad at the age of 18 and since then moving between apartments was like a piece of me was missing.

Missing the Garden Life

If you also grew up in a house with a beautiful garden and you remember the scent of the lemon tree every spring when you opened your bedroom window, or picking the fresh salad and tomatoes for every meal from the backyard, then you know how hard it can sometimes be when you have to spend your days within only four walls or on a tiny balcony.

A Miracle Happened

After years of longing for a piece of land to grow my own vegetables and fruit it finally made its way to me. And the timing was perfect! For the last seven months I have had the privilege in Germany to rent a garden.

I still remember the first day I visited the place with the previous owner. It was a snowy day back in February, cold and everything very quiet and peaceful. In front of me was nothing to start with. The place was covered with a thin layer of white snow, seemed dead, and I really tried hard to imagine how this literally white canvas could turn colorful in a couple of months.

The first week

Building My Own Garden

But I knew that I was at the right time at the right place. While working, starting my own business as an artist and trying to keep up with social life I spent my afternoons and weekends shoveling, digging, building, hammering, researching, planting and painting. Just me, my two hands most of the time and occasionally some help from friends. And I did it! After lots of sweat, back pain, small injuries and lots of soil covering my clothes I created my first chapter in my gardening experience.

Surprises and Lessons

My favorite part was the surprise effect, especially in the flowers area. That was the place which I changed the least because I wanted to see which flowers were going to grow this year as well. I still remember myself holding my phone and googling every species or just asking my garden neighbors.

And the slugs… oh these slugs, how they loved every new vegetable that tried so hard to grow! But I learned to work with them. I promised myself that I would never use any pesticides and I am staying with that decision.

What the Garden Gave Me

I could really write a novel about all the things that happened these seven months. This garden hosted lots of beautiful moments, creativity, cooking, relaxing times, reunions, conversations, opportunities, and interactions with inspiring people.

It created for me a home memory with very heartwarming and helpful neighbors who love to share their garden passion with me, talk about life, and exchange all kinds of our harvest and recipes.

Sitting Under the Apple Tree

And while I am sitting under my apple tree, which this year produced a double amount of harvest that turned into applesauce, apple cake and a reason to meet and share with friends, I feel how lucky I am. A privilege and excitement that I would love to share someday.

Because that is something that I was allowed to learn as well. Growing everything on your own is success, but being able to share it with your loved ones is pure happiness.

Memories in Pictures

Here are some of my before and after pictures as some of my favorite memories in my garden.