Reflections on How Gardening Shapes My Days and My Mindset
Gardening can be a pleasure, a chore, a hobby, or a passion—sometimes all of these at once. The other day, when I was utterly lost in the midst of weeding, digging, and dreaming up new garden spaces, I realised, for me, there are four very distinct types of gardening that shape my experience.
Freedom Gardening: Setting Plants Free
This is the kind of gardening that demands both grit and determination. I call it “freedom gardening”—it’s when we have to get into the Caprosma and Grevillea, to pull out all the stubborn grass and weeds that threaten to choke the life out of my precious plants. It’s “rip-sh*t and bust” gardening at its rawest—not about perfection, but about giving the plants a fighting chance and clearing out what’s holding them back.
Freedom gardening is always the hardest. I have to force myself to do just 20 minutes of this before I can move on to the more enjoyable tasks. There is a certain sense of accomplishment in liberating these patches though, making space for growth, and knowing I’ve made a real difference—even if it’s a sweaty, messy battle.
Beautification (or Maintenance): Instant Gratification
Then there’s what I like to call “beautification gardening”—though I admit, that label doesn’t quite capture all its charm. This is the weeding and tidying of established areas, like my succulent bank, which I can admire from the front deck. Here, I focus on details, pulling out every last weed and standing back to revel in the immediate transformation. Stephen does this so much better, and his “robo-mate” also practices this gardening 😊.
It’s satisfying to see the impact of just a small effort—the garden looks loved and cared for, and I can enjoy the results right away. Maybe “maintenance gardening” is a better term, because it’s about preserving what’s already thriving, adding those finishing touches that make the space sing.
Creative Gardening: Bringing New Ideas to Life
And finally, my favourite: creative gardening. This is where my imagination gets to play. Creating new spaces, designing paths with old railroad sleepers, moving plants to fill gaps, or starting living sculptures with massive kauri stumps—this kind of gardening is pure joy. It’s about envisioning what could be and watching it come to life, often in unexpected ways.
I love visualising a new area, dreaming up the possibilities, and then bringing those visions to fruition little by little. I torment my husband with the quote. I’ve got a new idea. I’ve had an idea.
Whether it’s building steps, experimenting with epiphytes plants (like bromeliads and staghorn that can thrive on just water and air and don’t need soil!) on a tree stump, or transforming the area around the sauna into a grove of palms and pungas, these creative projects are what keep me coming back to the garden day after day.
I have to add “growth” in here somewhere (in between creation and appreciation), for the new planting we do. Finding the right plants to expand the tropical bank, or ground covers that sprawl over walls, or hardy plants that survive the clay in parts. It is also the effort, of using the hot house, or taking 370 odd native plants, and replanting into pots, and tendering all summer, so they are strong enough to transplant.
Appreciation Gardening: Letting Goals Evolve in the Living Garden
The garden is in a constant state of transformation, just as we are, and each project serves as a reminder to be patient, put in the effort, and savour the journey as much as the outcome. These projects, like goals do not always need to be rigid endpoints. Instead, they can be evolving intentions, much like a blank canvas that slowly fills with colour and life.
Gardening reminds me that there is rarely a final destination; it is a process of continual change. Allowing plants to develop at their own pace and in their own unique ways encourages a more mindful approach—one that resists the urge to rush and embraces the beauty of growth over time. Mistakes are inevitable, and learning is ongoing, reminding me that perfection is not the goal.
In this way, gardening becomes an act of appreciation. It is about noticing the birds and butterflies, observing the subtle changes and the steady growth—both in the garden and in myself. This then becomes a forth type of gardening! “Appreciation Gardening” is a practice of recognising and celebrating transformation, in nature as well as within.
So whether I’m freeing plants, perfecting a view, or dreaming up something entirely new, the garden remains my favourite place for creativity, growth, and the occasional wild idea.
Applying this to everyday life
I was explaining my revelations about types of gardening, while out walking with a friend. She wisely pointed out, these three types apply to our life, our work and our relationships.
As we talked, it became clear that “freedom gardening” mirrors those moments when we tackle the tough, necessary tasks in life—clearing out what no longer serves us to make room for new growth. “Maintenance gardening” reflects the ongoing care and attention we give to nurture our relationships and keep our daily routines running smoothly. And “creative gardening” symbolises the joy of innovation, the spark of inspiration that brings fresh energy and excitement into all aspects of our lives.
Recognising these patterns outside the garden made me appreciate how tending to different areas—whether soil or soul—contributes to a more balanced, fulfilling life.
