Is there a greater joy than the joy of gardening? Maybe. But you’d have to try pretty hard to convince me. Gardening means we get to take part in nature’s seasonal magic show. Seemingly from nowhere we have brilliant red, orange, pink, and yellow tulips each Spring. In Summer, tall sunflowers shine bright on corner lots and peek in our windows.
It’s not always the big, obvious things that represent the joy of gardening, though. Sometimes it’s the sweet taste of a perfectly sun-ripened cherry tomato right from the vine. Or your favorite farmer giving you a packet of heirloom cucumber seeds. Other times, happiness comes when we see that last flower of the season or watching the bees drift quietly around the lavender.
There’s plenty of fun along the way, too. In Last Blooms, our gardening hero races against the rain to save the last daylilies of the season. And in Watering Cans and Rain Barrels, we learn that the joy of gardening is about taking things slowly and appreciating the quiet moments along the way.
Often, though, the joy of gardening comes from recognizing that no matter what we do, nature is still the boss. Or to put it another way, no matter how many plants you kill, Hostas will make you feel like you have a green thumb. Writer Sue Ellis reminds us of this in A Hosta for Mrs. Malloy.
These and other stories in this collection showcase the small moments when a tiny flower or the taste of a perfect berry makes the world feel like paradise, even if only for a snapshot of time. I hope you enjoy these stories and can give yourself a moment to share in the joy.
Feel free to stay a while and enjoy all the stories about the joy of gardening we have to share below. And be sure to check out our Joy of Gardening Freebie while you’re here, which features a hand-picked selection of our favorite stories from this category.
If you love gardening but find the constant toil of tilling, weeding and digging a hassle, no-dig gardening might be the solution you’ve been looking for. This method promotes healthy soil, reduces labor and yields abundant harvests — while preserving the delicate balance of nature in your garden. What Is No-Dig Gardening? At its core, […]
Some of our most beloved stories are those that transport us to cherished moments with parents, grandparents, and loved ones—memories wrapped in laughter, hard work, and the simple joys of life. These stories remind us how everyday moments, even something as routine as tending a garden, can take on deep emotional meaning over time. This […]
If spring weather has you feeling excited about fresh herbs and produce from your backyard, you might want to try keyhole gardening. Even aspiring green thumbs can easily master this sustainable and rewarding approach to planting. The unique raised bed design integrates composting and a simple, rounded layout for easy access. Here’s everything you need […]
One of the greatest joys of my role at GreenPrints is reading the hundreds of submissions we receive each year from gardeners across the country and around the world. Some stories arrive like a rough-cut gemstone, requiring a bit of polishing and reshaping to bring out their true brilliance. But every now and then, I […]
Illustrated by Linda Cook Devona I only started keeping a garden diary a few years ago. Most of it would probably be pretty boring to random readers. There are no juicy secrets or gossip. It’s not filled with hopes, dreams, or even many people. Nope. My garden diary is mostly just plant varieties, planting dates, […]
There’s a lot to be said for solitude. Henry David Thorough once wrote, “I have never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” Sometimes the joy of gardening isn’t in the sun-kissed tomatoes and tender basil on your plate for lunch, or the pleasure you get out of creating your own soil and […]
Today’s story begins how most of my weekend mornings do, hanging by the seed rack at my local gardener’s co-op. Well, at least April through June-ish. In An Unexpected Compliment, the author Gerald Burke worked for Burpee for 35 years. In his story, he is looking at Burpee seeds and meets a woman who also […]
What comes to mind when you think of a peasant? Popular opinion would have us believe that a peasant is an impoverished laborer, working the fields for a feudal lord in the Middle Ages. Hungry, dirty, cold in the winter, and often sick, peasant life was not known for luxury. It’s hard to imagine anyone […]
Is a minimalist garden in your cards? It should be! Minimalism is one of those things we all strive for, but so few of us achieve. My minimalism goes in bursts. Once a year, I rent a dumpster and use my local “sell nothing” group to give away as much excess as I can before […]
As the kids say, “I found my people” when I read today’s story from Barbara Baker, where she shares her joy of gardening in the form of a watering can and rain barrel. As a self-professed watering can collector, I have stared down the face of many watering cans. Some watered too aggressively, others with […]
