Gardening as a Mindful Practice

Gardening encourages slowing down, observing, and reconnecting with the natural rhythm, which is slower and more mindful. This is likely why many people are drawn to it. Watering plants, strolling through a flower-filled garden, or patiently observing tomatoes grow gives meaning to a modern world that sometimes lacks it.

Miranda Brooks' Background

Miranda Brooks, a landscape architect who has made gardens her field of creation and experimentation, grew up on a farm in the English countryside. Her parents valued self-sufficiency, and her relationship with the earth began in an unexpected way: "When I was a child, my punishment was to garden, which turned out to be very constructive!"

From Art to Landscape Architecture

Initially drawn to the history of art, which she studied at university, Miranda Brooks quickly realized she preferred to create rather than just observe. After many visits to nurseries and weekends spent planting, she turned to landscape architecture at the University of Birmingham and worked alongside the renowned landscape architect Arabella Lennox-Boyd.

Gardening as a Daily Practice

For Miranda Brooks, gardening represents a deep connection to nature and her parents' influence. Every day, she spends time thinking about what needs to be done in the garden, accomplishing small tasks like watering, pruning, or picking. She even weeds while on phone calls or simply observes the garden.

Luxury and Beauty in Gardens

Miranda Brooks defines a truly luxurious garden as one where you can relax and take a nap after the work is done. Her understanding of what makes a garden beautiful has evolved over time. The more she learns about the work required to make a garden look natural and effortless, the more refined her perspective becomes.

Inspiration from Global Gardens

Miranda Brooks is inspired by gardens around the world, especially Tramores in southern Spain. Originally created by Jaime Parladé and later owned by Annabel Goldsmith, this garden consists of terraces connected by water and features pebble pathways, scents, and a sensuality that differs from the English gardens she grew up with, such as Rousham.

Gardening and the Art of Living

Miranda Brooks believes that her garden teaches the art of living well by providing pleasure to others. Seeing friends and family gather there, sharing meals under a tree, or offering flowers, fruits, and vegetables highlights the abundance that gardening can bring.

Why Gardening Resonates Today

Miranda Brooks thinks many people are reconnecting with gardening today because growing and cultivating what we eat responds to a fundamental human need. Gardening also teaches patience and reminds people that they do not control everything. It is often described as a form of therapy, as spending time in a garden can improve mental health by anchoring people in the present and reducing stress and anxiety.

Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening

Miranda Brooks recommends the book The Gardener's Balance by Sue Stuart-Smith, which explores the therapeutic benefits of gardening. She emphasizes that these benefits are scientifically proven and accessible to everyone, regardless of age.

Gardening Rituals and Urban Gardening

Watering the garden or picking flowers for the house are rituals that help Miranda Brooks feel grounded. She believes that even a small balcony, a windowsill, or a few indoor plants can offer the same therapeutic benefits as a large garden. She grows fragrant geraniums and pelargoniums from cuttings given by friends.

Gardening as a Creative Practice

Miranda Brooks considers gardening a creative practice, on the same level as fashion or design. However, she emphasizes that the design of gardens is the true parallel with these disciplines.

Beginner's Gardening Guide

Miranda Brooks recommends following a good guide that details gardening month by month, such as The Gardening Year by Reader's Digest. She suggests starting with small pelargoniums and growing vegetables like cucumbers and aromatic herbs, which are easy to cultivate and provide great satisfaction.

Common Mistakes and Tips for Beginners

A common mistake for beginners is going on vacation without planning. To keep a garden healthy during absence, it is important to trim the garden well before leaving to avoid coming back to an overgrown space.

Urban Gardening Tips

For those in the city, Miranda Brooks recommends choosing a tree in a park and learning to know it. For starting a vegetable garden on a balcony or terrace, she suggests fig trees and rosemary, which are easy to grow and tolerate irregular watering.