The Joy of Growing Plants from Seed: Why Gardening Has Captured My Heart
There’s something quietly magical about watching a seed transform into a living, thriving plant. I used to think gardening from seed was only for the green-thumbed elite, but it turns out… all it takes is a pot, a bit of compost, and a dash of curiosity.
My gardening journey started as a bit of an experiment.
I’d managed to keep a few gifted houseplants alive (a small win!), and then in 2023 I was given some sunflower seeds and a couple of sweetcorn seedlings. I planted the sunflower seeds in a pot and was absolutely delighted to watch them sprout and grow — there’s something very wholesome about that process. I was hooked.
Fast forward to January 2024, on a family trip to a local garden centre where we bought a few seed packets — some herbs for me, and a packet of pumpkin seeds for our 4 year old son.
We planted six pumpkin seeds and celebrated when all six sprouted… little did we know that pumpkin plants would completely take over the garden!
It turned into such a joyful experience — a shared hobby that we still talk about and chuckle over!
🌿 What I'm Growing This Year
This year, I’ve expanded my seed-growing repertoire. Here’s what’s currently sprouting in our little homegrown setup:
Herbs: Mint, oregano, chives, basil, peppermint, thyme
Veggies: Carrots, spinach, rocket, lettuce, peppers
Flowers: Lavender (I can’t wait for the scent!)
Experiments: A packet of eucalyptus, and yes — two more pumpkin plants!
I’m hoping for a few edible successes this year. There’s something so rewarding about growing food you can actually eat — the ultimate “from garden to table.”
🪴 Where I'm Growing It All
I'm keeping things simple and sweet. Our kitchen conservatory windowsill has become a little seedling nursery, and the kitchen windowsill is in full-time rotation too.
Outside, my fiancé built three long wooden planters last year, creating our own little mini kitchen garden. It’s perfect, it’s ours, and it brings me so much joy.
🍋 Unexpected Wins & Lessons Learned
I love to experiment, so last year I planted some pips from a lemon I got from Ocado (why not, right?). Amazingly, they sprouted! I lost a few seedlings over winter, but three little lemon trees are still going strong one year later. I have no idea how far they’ll grow, but watching them thrive brings me a quiet sense of joy.
🧘♀️ Gardening as a Form of Therapy
Gardening has become a sanctuary for me — a way to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with nature. My favourite time to potter in the garden is on a Sunday afternoon, with Classic FM playing in the background. There’s something so peaceful about it — it quiets the noise in my mind and helps me step out of the constant busyness.
🌱 My Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to gardening, here’s what I’d say:
Start small. Choose one thing you’d love to grow — a herb, a flower, a veggie — and just give it a go. All you need is a seed packet, a pot, and some compost.
Invest in a soil moisture meter.
This simple tool is a life saver if you have a tendency to "over love" your plants! Before watering, you can check how dry the soil is. This has been a total game changer for me.
ChatGPT is your gardening bestie. Seriously — upload a photo of your plant and it can help diagnose what’s going on and give you easy-to-understand advice. It’s like having a gardening expert in your back pocket.
Need the gear? Checkout my Gardening for Beginners list on Amazon where you can find my favourites for getting started
