I Finally Got to Meet You!

I've been gardening and talking about gardening for a long time now. I send emails, I post videos, I show up in your feed on a regular basis, and talk about soil and seeds and raised beds like we're old friends. And in a lot of ways, I think we are. But last week, something happened that reminded me there's a version of this community that can't be replicated through a screen... I got to meet some of you face-to-face!

I hosted my first-ever in-person garden party here at my home in Nashville, and I honestly wasn't prepared for how it would feel. Eighty people walked through my garden. That's a lot! I honestly loved every minute of it.

Watching people wander through the beds, lean in to smell the flowers, ask me questions about my plants... I got a little emotional. I'm not going to pretend otherwise. It was such a dream!

Perfect Weather and Garden Dresses

The weather cooperated beautifully, which felt like a gift. The garden was in full peak-spring form, and I won't lie, I was relieved. There's a particular kind of pressure that comes with inviting people to see the thing you've been tending all season. Fortunately, the beds delivered.

Guests arrived and mingled with iced lavender and honey lattes from our coffee station, which turned out to be the perfect way to ease into things. People were wearing cute spring-time garden dresses that brought a festive vibe to the event. The energy in the garden that day was something I'll think about for a long time.

From there, guests made their way through a seed station where they could fill their own little bags to take home. I loved watching people scoop the seeds and tuck little paper packets into their bags.

Then came the garden tours, which were my favorite part to lead. Walking someone through a space you've planted, loved, and fussed over is such a specific kind of joy. Until now, they had only seen my garden on-screen, but now they could enjoy it as I have. Walk under the arch trellis, touch the plants, get a feel for the layout, and gather ideas for their own garden.

We also had time for photos and book signings, and I have to say, meeting readers in person is one of the most grounding things I get to do. Some of these people have already read my books, Kitchen Garden Revival, The 5-Minute Gardener, Leaves, Roots &Fruit, and carried those ideas into their own yards and kitchens. Getting to shake their hands and say thank you face-to-face mattered more than I can adequately express.

The Part I Wasn't Expecting

Here's what I didn't fully anticipate: how genuinely lovely everyone would be. I don't know exactly what I expected, but I was moved by the warmth and friendliness in that group.

I talk to this gardening community every week, but I rarely get to look anyone in the eyes. I rarely get to see the person behind the screen who's been following along, growing alongside me, trusting me with their garden questions and transforming their little patches of dirt. Having so many of you step into my actual garden, the real one, meant everything!

A Special Thank You to Those Who Traveled

I have to take a moment to acknowledge the guests who didn't just drive across town to be there. We had people come from California, North Carolina, Kentucky, and from all across Tennessee and beyond. That kind of effort doesn't go unnoticed.

The fact that you planned a trip, booked a flight or a long drive, and made a whole thing out of a morning in my garden is something I will not forget. For those who traveled, thank you for making that effort. It meant the world.

Why This Won't Be the Last Garden Party

The party was such a success, we're already talking about doing this again. I know!

There's something about connecting with the people who make up this community that feels important. You're not just an audience. You're gardeners, real ones, who are out there doing the work and making things grow. Getting to be in the same physical space, even briefly, felt like the most honest version of what Gardenary is supposed to be.

My goal has always been to make gardening feel ordinary and accessible, something anyone can do, something worth making time for. Spending a morning with eighty people who already believe that reminded me why I started all of this in the first place.

So thank you. Thank you for showing up, for growing alongside me, for being the kind of community that makes a person want to tend their garden even better. Your presence, whether online or in person, is something I'm genuinely grateful for.

I hope to see more of you next time. Hopefully soon!