Ellen Mary
The broadcaster, podcaster, author and wellness coach is passionate about promoting the therapeutic benefits of gardening and reconnecting with nature
I’ve been a plant addict since childhood but kept this quite secret from friends at school because it wasn’t cool then! Even my careers advisor dismissed my interest, so I ended up working in offices for various companies, mainly in HR. I found myself on my allotment at the end of each day, resetting myself to tackle another shift.
That life wasn’t for me and, after taking RHS qualifications part time, I became a jobbing gardener. I started writing gardening columns for a local magazine and then I got a job producing and presenting content for Mustard TV, a Norfolk television station. This snowballed into hosting two radio shows, a podcast and gardening slots on American TV! Back when I used to pick caterpillars o plants in my uncle’s organic garden as a kid, I never thought I’d one day be a TV regular in the US.
A life-changing operation made me realise how crucial gardening was to my recovery, both physically and mentally. I began researching the wellbeing eff ects of gardening and took courses in CBT, wellness, and social and therapeutic horticulture. I now give talks on the subject and o ffer wellness coaching for mindful gardening. My first book, The Joy of Gardening, came out last year and is an introduction to these ideas. You can also catch me at the Malvern Spring Festival in May, where I’m hosting the Nurture Theatre and talking to brilliant horticulturists about the health benefits of gardening.
Although I’m at my happiest on my allotment in Norfolk or my balcony in North Carolina, I do love spreading the word about gardening and I am such a yes-woman! I’ve got a second book coming out in July for beginner gardeners, including tips and tricks with wonderful colour illustrations.
The pressures of modern life have led us to forget our natural place is outside. When gardening, you can remove yourself from those pressures, focus on the task and feel that intrinsic connection with the natural world. My top piece of advice for anyone looking to garden more mindfully is to remember that you too are nature. This holistic view lets me enjoy gardening on a whole new level. ellenmarygardening.co.uk