I’d like to introduce myself.

My name is Katie Cuthbert, and I am the Crew Leader and Education Coordinator at Native Edible Designs. Like many gardeners before me, I am drawn to the art of garden writing. Since at least the 11th century in Japan and the 16th century in England, gardeners have sought to document the experience of being in relation to plants through manuals, essays, articles, poems and novels.

The long history of this craft says something about gardeners– they are artists and naturalists, always observing the world around them and often wanting to preserve the ephemeral beauty that is a garden on the written page.

I was first exposed to garden writing as a child. I cherished The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and reread it every March starting at age 10, in preparation for the coming season. I was transported by Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce, a book gifted to me by an elderly neighbor who treasured the giant butterfly bush in front of her house. I wrote countless poems about my beloved daffodils and that particular smell of soil in the spring. As I grew older I became a fan of Vita Sackville-West, creator of Sissinghurst, and Christopher Lloyd, creator of Great Dixter, both of whom were visionary gardeners and prolific garden writers. 

Writing about gardens can serve many purposes. Practically speaking, it is a way to share knowledge and best practices within our community. It can capture the essence of this work and the practice of taking care of the land, the infinite beauty of this world we live in. It can spark interest in beginners or those who have never gardened before, just like the 10 year old girl who picked up The Secret Garden and was changed. 

This blog will serve as a space to share our practical knowledge about plants, tools, and techniques. It will also include musings about the natural world, the beauty of working outdoors, and the ecological problems that impact our gardens today. We look forward to you joining us here each week – thank you for reading.

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