When Denise from @my_little_plot found herself at a loose end during the COVID lockdown, she turned to her neglected outdoor space and discovered a passion that has flourished ever since. Now the proud owner of a quirky cottage garden packed with creative containers, upcycled finds and wildlife, find out the single most important gardening tip she wished she’d known from the start…
How did you get into gardening?
Images courtesy of @my_little_plot
My route into gardening was like a lot of people’s. The Covid lockdown, combined with leaving my job meant I had a lot more time on my hands, and my neglected plot was in need of attention.
What inspires you in the garden?
Images courtesy of @my_little_plot
I find inspiration for my garden mostly online or in books ( the old fashioned way). There’s always something new to learn or a planting idea to try.
What’s your favourite gardening style?
Images courtesy of @my_little_plot
I love the cottage garden style, and if I had to describe my garden, I’d call it “quirky cottage.” I love to upcycle things in the garden and make planters out of them, which leads me on to my container gardens. I have one shady and one sunny. I’ll try growing anything in a container, from perennials to trees. I just love the versatility of containers.
What are you most proud of?
Images courtesy of @my_little_plot
What makes me most proud is looking back and realising how much the garden has changed, and knowing it was all my own work! I love that other gardeners ask my advice and are inspired by my garden.
The wildlife that visits my garden on a daily basis makes me proud I’m doing my bit. I’ve recently welcomed a hedgehog, and a huge number of birds and pollinators also thrive in it.
What’s your top gardening tip for beginners?
Images courtesy of @my_little_plot
My one tip to beginner gardeners would be to think about “right plant, right place”. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve made an impulse purchase at the garden centre only to find I don’t have the conditions for it to thrive.
Grow like Denise
Image: Geranium ‘Patricia’ from Thompson & Morgan
If you’d like to grow the plants and flowers Denise showcases on her Instagram page, here are some of her favourites:
Follow Denise at @my_little_plot to see her garden grow and change through the seasons. For more inspiration, our full series of Featured Gardeners contains a wealth of hugely knowledgeable growers who are also worth a follow.
The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.