There’s no such thing as “Garden Maintenance”

“Garden Maintenance” is such an over-used term, and I admit, I use it myself. But when I stop to think about it, it doesn’t really make any sense.

Maintenance suggests keeping something as is, upholding the status quo. But rarely do gardens stay still. And neither should they in my opinion. They’re not museum exhibits, it’s their growth and evolution that makes them special.

I suppose those achingly modern outdoor spaces with ice-white patios and plastic grass might be an exception. But I don’t really count them.

Maintenance is about control. But evolution is collaboration. Noticing that the self-seeded foxglove by the compost is thriving, and deciding to let it stay. It’s realising the lawn doesn’t want to be a lawn anymore — it wants to be a meadow. Evolution-based gardening allows for gentler rhythms, seasonal interest, and a sense of companionship with the space. It’s gardening that supports wellbeing, not just aesthetics.

Studies show that gardens managed with ecological flexibility (think: letting some areas go wild, planting for pollinators, embracing seasonal change) are more resilient, biodiverse, and to be honest, just nicer!

Ultimately, gardens are dynamic spaces. Rather than striving for a fixed ideal, it’s better to embrace the changes that come with seasons and circumstance.

By working with your garden, I can help you create a space that’s interesting, resilient, and uniquely yours.

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