"That Looks Like a Lot of Work"

One of the questions I'm asked most often when people visit my garden is:

"How much time do you spend working in your garden? That looks like a lot of work."

The answer usually surprises them.

The truth is, I don't spend nearly as much time working in my garden as people imagine.

Most mornings, you'll find me walking through the garden with a cup of coffee in my hand. I wander from bed to bed, checking on plants like old friends. I notice a new blossom that wasn't there yesterday. I smile when a plant I tucked into the ground a month ago has suddenly tripled in size. And every year I celebrate when my hydrangea—after four years of stubbornly refusing to cooperate—finally rewards me with another beautiful bloom.

This year, it's covered in flowers the size of softballs.

That's not work.

That's joy.

As I stroll through the garden, I do take mental notes. Maybe that perennial needs dividing in the fall. Perhaps another plant has outgrown its space and will need to be moved. A shrub might need pruning, or a bed may need refreshing.

But those thoughts are simply part of caring for something you love.

In that moment, I'm not thinking about a to-do list. I'm enjoying the peace only a garden can give you.  

For me, gardening has never been about creating more work. It's about creating a place where I can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature for a few minutes each day.

The work comes and goes.

The rewards stay much longer.

A beautiful garden isn't just a collection of plants. It's a place to enjoy your morning coffee, watch butterflies drift from flower to flower, listen to birds singing nearby, and celebrate the small victories that only gardeners truly understand.

And when I think about it that way, every bit of work is worth it.

After all, the goal isn't to spend all your time working in the garden.

The goal is to create a garden you love spending time in.