Diary of a Gardener A Look Back on an Incredible Year

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey it has been—a year of growth, challenges, and transformation. I never could have imagined the strides both I and my business would take. What began as a side hustle, my second business, has grown into an equal partner to my first—despite the fact that I’ve been working it part-time. Needless to say, life has been busy!

In addition to running two businesses, I took classes, continued my education, hired a horticulture business coach, and attended as many conferences and workshops as I could. I firmly believe that stagnation isn’t an option. Like nature, we must keep evolving and adapting.

This year brought its fair share of challenges, particularly here in Florida. Record-breaking temperatures, heavy rainfall, two tropical storms, and a major hurricane tested both us and the plants we nurture. But nature is resilient—it adapts and survives—and I’ve embraced that same mindset. I’ve adjusted my approach to planting for clients, learning what thrives in these conditions and what doesn’t. This evolution extended to my business as well. I made the decision to close my online plant store, choosing instead to focus solely on local sales through my nursery. This shift allowed me to better serve my community and build stronger local relationships.

Another significant change this year was adding garden maintenance to my list of services. Designing and installing a landscape is one thing, but ensuring it thrives is another. Clients now have the option of professional garden care—whether biweekly, monthly, or quarterly. This service ensures their landscapes are properly pruned, fertilized, pest-free, and disease-free, all while minimizing environmental impact.

After back-to-back hurricanes, the demand for my services skyrocketed. The calls kept coming, and I worked tirelessly to keep up. Eventually, I realized I needed to pause and give myself the rest I’d earned. While I’m deeply grateful for the abundance of work—and I’ll admit, I love making money—this year reminded me to care for my own well-being, too.

What truly stands out for me is the joy I’ve found in my work. For so long, I worked simply to stay busy. Now, I work because I genuinely love what I do. There’s no greater happiness for me than when I’m surrounded by plants, except when I’m with my husband, family, and dogs.

This year has affirmed that I am exactly where my soul is meant to be—for perhaps the first time in my professional life. Years ago, a former boss shared a piece of advice I’ve never forgotten: “Do what you love, and the money will follow.” It’s taken me 25 years to fully understand those words, but every version of myself along the way prepared me for this moment.

I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you—my husband and biggest supporter, my family, my dear friends, my helper (without whom this work wouldn’t get done), my colleagues, and my wonderful customers. Without you, I’d still just be a woman with a dream.

Thank you for being part of my journey. I wish you a beautiful holiday season and a Happy New Year.

And remember—always keep growing