Why I Took a Break From the Garden (And How I’m Starting Fresh)

I’ve always believed that growing your own food should fit into your life, not take it over. But, like many of you, sometimes life has other plans, and this spring and summer were full of challenges that tested both my garden and myself.

The spring started with a series of health-related issues for my children, and while I managed to keep things going at first, the constant strain wore me down over time. By the time summer rolled around, I was already behind, but still hopeful. I thought I could catch up and get things back on track.

Then, in the middle of our summer holiday, my son broke his arm, and everything changed. We had to cancel all of our plans, and with the heat, he couldn’t be outside for long, especially with his cast. At home, the kids were constantly bickering, and I found myself unable to step outside without being called back to break up a fight. The garden, which had always been a place of calm and productivity for me, became something I had to let go of.

It was heart-breaking to watch most of it slip away, especially after the work I’d put in earlier in the year. But I also knew that my garden was built to be resilient. Even though I couldn’t maintain the entire 1000-square-meter space (yes, my vegetable garden is excessively large!), I was able to keep the most important bits going, like my tomatoes. And that’s the beauty of a well-designed garden—it can still produce, even when you can’t be there for every little detail.

Now, with the kids back in school, I finally have the time and headspace to start fresh. I’ve learned a lot this year, both about gardening and about how to handle life’s unexpected twists. The break, while difficult, has given me new energy and fresh ideas, and I’m excited to put them into action.

One of the first things I’m working on is redesigning a large patch of the garden to make it more beautiful and functional for next year. I want the garden to not only feed my family but to also bring joy every time I step into it. The setup I’ve developed over the years has always been about efficiency, and had my garden been smaller, I would have been able to keep up with it even in tough times. But with a garden this size, it’s not always possible to manage everything, even with the best systems in place.

If you’ve struggled to keep up with your garden, or if life has thrown challenges your way this year, know that you’re not alone. The beauty of gardening is that it’s always there, waiting for you to come back, no matter how much time has passed. And this time, I’m coming back with a fresh perspective, ready to grow again.

The garden is not the only thing I have decided to start afresh! I have deleted my old website and blog and is starting again here. Expect weekly content to help you reach your gardening goals and dreams. 

Happy Growing! 

x

Martina