Image courtesy of Kate Smith
When Kate Smith from @homegrown_blooms experimented with a few Halloween pumpkin seeds, she had no idea that it would snowball into a thriving veg patch filled with tomatoes, potatoes, sprouts and lettuce. But it was when she started sowing flower seeds that something really clicked – the colours, the movement, the way they cheer you up in a matter of minutes… Find out why growing flowers is where the magic happens for Kate.
Tell us about your current garden
Images courtesy of Kate Smith
My gardening style is a little varied. My perennial border is where I indulge my cottage garden dream with tall lofty spires swaying in the breeze and workhorse plants that come back year on year to provide the structure. The planting here is relaxed and informal.
Then there are the cutting beds. This is where the logical and practical side of my brain rules and things are planted in grids based on their height. Spreadsheets and graph paper are involved to help plan each season!
I love to grow from seed, and the garden tool I probably couldn’t live without would be my soil blocker. It helps me maximise the small growing space I have and means I can fit 40 seedlings into a small takeaway container! As well as the space-saving element, it helps prevent transplant shock so I have happy healthy little seed babies.
What inspires you?
Images courtesy of Kate Smith
There are lots of things that inspire me in the garden. I love knowing that, no matter how overwhelmed or stressed I might be feeling, just making a start and getting my hands in the soil will dissolve all my worries within minutes. I also love that, at the end of the day, I can tidy everything away and achieve a sense of order. Even though all the jobs may not be complete, I feel like I’ve accomplished something.
What are you most proud of?
Images courtesy of Kate Smith
I’m most proud of how I’ve embraced the changes that growing a garden has had on me. I can be a bit of a perfectionist, so when I’ve spent a lot of time planning something I sometimes struggle to pivot if things don’t quite work out as intended.
Growing from seed, gardening, and arranging flowers has taught me that things don’t always work out how you’d imagined. Nature has her own ideas, and sometimes you just have to go with the flow… Some years, without rhyme or reason, the seeds don’t germinate, the pests win the battle or the weather is a challenge. I’m really proud that I’m able to adapt more to that now. (The answer in most cases, I’ve found, is to grow more seeds! That’s where the soil blocking addiction comes in handy!)
What are your future plans?
Images courtesy of Kate Smith
In the future I definitely plan to create some kind of floral workshop space for me in the garden. I’d love to have somewhere to keep my ever-growing vase collection and to sit and create beautiful homegrown bouquets.
Also, a patio glow up is on the cards for sure! My well-loved garden table has served me well, but I dream of a pergola, string lights and comfy seating to enjoy summer evenings outside!
Top gardening tips for beginners
Images courtesy of Kate Smith
My top tip for beginners is to just start – work with what you have. Sow seeds in empty milk containers or yogurt pots on a sunny window sill. You can use a clear storage box as a mini greenhouse at the beginning. Don’t overcomplicate things, just have a go and see where it takes you. My guess is that it will be a slippery slope to obsession!
I’m a big believer in being able to create beautiful homegrown flower arrangements from the smallest of spaces – a 1m² bed, some pots on a patio, or even a window box on a balcony. The happiness that comes from growing and cutting your own blooms is like nothing else.
Grow like Kate
These glorious pink and white blooms have strong tall stems for perfect cut flowers
Image: Antirrhinum majus ‘Potomac Apple Blossom’ F1 Seeds from T&M
If you want to try growing some of the amazing blooms on Kate’s Instagram page, here’s a quick shopping list:
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about Kate Smith from @homegrown_blooms. See our full series of Featured Gardeners to discover more inspirational growers to follow.
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