Sometimes a place leaves you so full—so utterly brimming with ideas, gratitude, connection, and awe—that you have no choice but to capture it somehow, even if it’s just a voice recording while driving home.
That’s exactly what happened after visiting The Stones Open Garden in Clydesdale, hosted by the incredible Jeremy and Grant, last weekend. I’ve finally had a chance to sit down, transcribe my thoughts, and share them with you. These are the raw, heartfelt musings of a day that filled my cup to overflowing.
Driving back from The Stones, my head was just so full—of ideas, connections, contentment, and joy.
It was one of those days that reminded me how deeply important it is to carve out time for experiences like this. I met so many wonderful people, including Helena (Spade and Trowel) and Annabelle Reid (seasoned Open Gardens volunteer). I also had the chance to reconnect with my local Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens—a group that always feels like home.
There’s something about these moments. They are soul-expanding, heart-expanding, mind-expanding. All the things.
A simple morning spent wandering a thoughtfully created garden space… and yet it does so much to realign my spirit.
Jeremy and Grant’s property is nothing short of divine. It’s layered and thoughtful, offering not just beauty but deep generosity in its design. It’s the kind of place you can feel rather than just see. Spaces like theirs remind me of why I do what I do—and why creating environments that hold meaning matters.
As I drove, ideas kept tumbling out. Things I want to explore in my book.
Thoughts about materiality—how plants themselves are a form of materiality, as vital and considered as stone or timber.
How my particular landscape architecture lens shapes the way I see the world, even when I’m thinking about planting, gardening, or seasonal living.
At times, the scale of the book project I’m working on feels overwhelming.
And at other times, like Sunday, it feels absolutely exhilarating.
This book is hard. It’s pulling together everything I have learnt—and everything I’m still learning.
It’s woven from the conversations I have, the people I bump into, the shared love of gardens, of design, of making and craftsmanship.
All these threads are creating a tapestry bigger than just me. They form a web of inspiration, memory, and generosity.
Sunday was also a gentle but powerful reminder of something I have always known in my heart:
People who love gardens—people who love plants, design, making—they tend to be big-hearted, warm, generous souls.
I feel incredibly blessed to be part of that community.
It’s this community—this rich, nurturing, beautiful web—that is also the community who will hold my book in their hands one day.
And I want to give so much back.
Because I wouldn’t be here without them—their lessons, their stories, their quiet acts of sharing and generosity.
You may want to check out my related content below:
From Forest Clearing to Town Garden: A Story of Growth – Discover the journey of transforming a space from raw nature to a thriving garden, filled with lessons and inspiration.
Your Ultimate Gardening Inspiration Resource – Curated by our community for our community, this resource is filled with inspiration and practical tips for your gardening journey.
Creativity, Connection, and Beauty at Babbington Park with Lean Timms– Inspired, grateful, and reminded that making time for creativity and connection isn’t always a luxury—sometimes it’s a necessity.
Looking for seasonal garden insight and glimpses behind the writing of the book?
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Thanks so much for reading and for sharing this garden journey with me.
Natasha xx
For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.
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