My Gardening Journey and Lessons Learned
Blooming with Success (and sometimes not)
I am so excited to be here on Substack. It feels like I have finally come home. I absolutely love writing, gardening and spirituality. These are probably my holy trinity of things to express. Like many writers I have spent eons of time posting to Facebook, Twitter (now X) and chasing the Google algorithm so that I might share this passion for writing, gardening and the journey of spirituality.
With Facebook and Twitter (X) the content doesn’t last, and it doesn’t belong to the writer. With Google the focus of the writing changes to that of Search Engine Optimization. The search is on for that magic word of phrase that will put you on the first page of Google. This, I think will change with the development of Artificial Intelligence.
What I love about Substack for the very short time that I have been on it is that I get the freedom to write the way in which I love. I don’t have to be concerned about finding the magic word or long tail phrase that will be picked up by the ever changing algorithm. I can focus on the magic words and phrases that will light up the hearts of my readers and inspire them to commit to Companioning their Greatness.
Since the last newsletter, I have started The Mindful Gardening Podcast. You won’t believe how long I have procrastinated over starting a podcast. I didn’t have the right microphone. I didn’t have the right environment. I didn’t have the time. I didn’t have enough material.
Here on Substack I simply decided to start and allow the process to evolve. So as this adventure continues, I have scheduled a Newsletter and a Podcast. The Newsletter will go out at 17:30 on a Saturday and the podcast will go out at 17:30 on a Sunday. This may change as time goes on.
The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step - Lao Tzu
I am still evolving the ideas around this Newsletter and podcast. I have clear ideas about the podcast which will be focused on inviting you to flower the unique potential seeded within you. This is more focused on mindfulness and uses gardening metaphors together with lines from mystical poetry, song lyrics, storytelling and inspiration quotations. I find I love writing this podcast and recording it and I hope that love comes through the presentation.
The Newsletter will, I think, present the journey that my wife Bee and I are taking in developing the acre and more of land that we have here in Cordressagagh in Ireland. This Newsletter will have links to my website which is being populated with a lot of information about the plants and the vegetables that we grow here.
This garden is being developed as a sacred space which I intend to share with friends, family and the local community. I call it a garden of grace because I feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to steward its beautification.
One of the things I have discovered in developing this in Cordressagagh garden is that I love planting that part of the garden which is in shade. This shade extends down the East side of the land with the hedge that boarders the lane (the one with the lawn on it). I begin to feel like I am becoming a shade garden specialist and so that is presently being featured in all the plants that I write about in detail on the blog at
Image by BeckerBuben from Pixabay
One other aspect of gardening that I feel I am beginning to learn a little more about is the plants that work as edging for paths. Last year I wanted to edge the steps leading down into the garden facing West and so I sowed some Aubretia seeds.
I just love the color of this ground cover and edging plant. As someone who is interested in energy healing, I have written about the energy centers called the chakras. Each chakra has a color associated with it and the color of Aubretia is associated with the throat chakra related to communication and communion.
The seeds didn’t take so I ordered some plugs online. These arrived yesterday so I will be off to the Ashwood Garden Centre in Enniskillen to buy some agricultural grit and I will use this mixed with some multipurpose compost to plant the plugs into one of the containers that I have to remember my sister Gillian.
I think they will do well in these containers and once established I can divide them and plant them in very open free draining soil along the edge of the steps. Then I will have a cascade of blue to remind me to be in communion with that which Companions my Greatness. Blue being the colour of the throat chakra related to higher communion.
Bring me a higher Love - Steve Winwood (song lyric)
So that’s part of the plan for the coming week. If you want more information about what plants to use in a shade garden, then visit my website at
There you get detailed information about what works. We are here in Zone 8. What works here will probably do well in most parts of the UK. For those tuned in from other parts of the world you are advised to check your zone. If you want a fabulous resource for plants and design visit the website
I love this site. I am not in any way affiliated with it but its such a fabulous website to visit and get all sorts of ideas from. Plus, its beautiful to look at and you get to try its fabulous garden design resource for free. There is a paid option which I use for $25.00 which is probably some of the best money you will ever spend.
So that is the Mindful Gardener news for this week. The Mindful Gardener podcast arrives tomorrow. This is entitled Attachment versus Authenticity. So, until we meet again may you have a great day, a wonderful life and remember to Companion Your Greatness and flower the seeded potential within your heart.
May it be so for you. May it be so for all.
You are truly getting into the groove of this Substack lark, Tony. Lovely job and content. Congratulations