I Think Gardening Has Changed My Life
talking about what gardening means to me, what i'm growing, what i'm wearing while gardening...
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I kept going back and forth on whether or not I wanted to make this post because I’m not sure who it will interest but!!! it’s my substack- and I would love to find other individuals who love gardening too.
To start off this story, I have to give some context: I lost my grandma unexpectedly almost two summers ago- I feel like there are no words to describe the kind of person my Babcia was (grandma in Polish!). She was the most thoughtful, selfless, devoted, incredibly strong woman I ‘d ever known, and the impact she made on my life is just ever lasting. My last memories of her were in our garden, cleaning up weeds and tending to her plants. I had always loved flowers growing up, but I don’t think I realized the impact of what growing something can do for a human being. It changed my whole perspective on life and what I value- to watch these flowers and plants and trees that my Babcia had planted years ago with her own hands, continue to grow and come to life every year has been the most beautiful experience. To know that even though she is not physically on this earth with me, she lives on through the things she gave life to. My mom and I always talk about how we can feel Babcia in the garden with us, in the quiet moments when I’m watering the flowers.
Little me and my Babcia! Grief can be a very difficult feeling to grasp, and some days feel heavier than others, but finding love through something that loss had led me to makes it a little bit easier.
Last summer, I helped my sweet grandpa (we call him Dziadzia) grow cucumbers and tomatoes in the garden.
Lucky for me, tomatoes are my favorite food ever, I can eat them every meal, so I was stacked for the summer. I am counting down the days until tomato season!!! The cucumbers were great too- even better when we pickled them. We’re doing tomatoes and cucumbers again this year- but my aunt is growing beets, broccoli, watermelon, and more which I am extremely excited for.
Some flowers I picked from my garden yesterday!!! Special shoutout to the foxgloves that have been growing so beautifully. I think they’re my current favorite.
I feel so lucky to have the most amazing garden. I think it also created a really special connection between me and my mom to be able to do this together.
The flowers I picked from our garden during fall time (easily the best season for flowers….). Special shoutout to cockscomb, my Babcia’s favorite flower, I think of her every time I see one.
Now lets talk about the fun part! What do I wear while gardening….
First off, I want to share a post from Best Friends about the intersection between gardening and fashion freaks (it spoke to me). I am obsessed with the pieces they shared and appreciate that it’s accurate to what I actually like to wear while in the garden. I am aware that being in the garden is not a fashion show, but for me it is.
First up, I must do a shoutout to the rain boots. Cute, versatile, and actually very useful in day to day life (shockingly). I usually wear my Hunter Wellies to protect my legs from poison ivy (and I’ve been loving styling them with my normal summer outfits as well).
I also have my eye on Salter House’s Hemp Wellies- I just love that they’re made from hemp plastic and look extremely good with a white nightgown.
A must have for me are my overalls- I thrifted mine a few years back. Again, another piece that is so cute but actually very practical for gardening (all the pockets??? amazing).
Here’s some great vintage ones I found on Etsy!!
I am also big on a nice breathable button down shirt (you have to be okay with it getting dirty) and to protect you from the sun! My mom wears sun protection shirts while in the garden, but I honestly think they’re kind of ugly so I stray away (if you know of one that’s cute… please share).
I love this one I thrifted from Chaps!! It’s linen and cute for the beach but also lightweight for doing some work in the backyard.
Here’s a few I love on Etsy that are cute + versatile:
This next one is not something I currently own but will likely be my next purchase- this wooden carry-all from Anthropologie. Tell me this isn’t amazing and I don’t need it. I have a regular basket for my pickings but I think this one is perfect and I will be succumbing to it.
I wanted to finish off the post with some gardening-esque (some aren’t the most practical but still cute) outfits I’ve been loving.
It’s been the most amazing experience for me to have this new hobby that results in something so beautiful. It definitely takes a lot of patience, but I know personally how much it has changed me as a human being. The foods I eat, the things I spend time doing, how I value life and others- I really owe it to my Babcia. I miss her everyday but having this connection with her has been so special to me.
I know this post was a little different but it’s been on my mind a lot lately to talk about, so I hope you enjoyed!! If you’re a fellow gardener or an aspiring one, send me a dm on instagram or a comment to chat.
Thanks for being here and reading :)
-Izabela