The Sentimental Gardener is growing

Someone planted a seed for me back in January, and it's just broken through the surface.

Hello friends,

I’ve got news that's been growing behind the scenes for quite some time.

I’ve been thinking about it for 5 years, but it was a moment in Jo Ferguson’s garden, meeting incredible people from the horticulture and landscape architecture industry at the recent Australian Landscape Conference and Melbourne International Garden Show that gave me the boost I needed to try it.

I mean, when Jane Edmanson agrees to record a video for you and loves the idea, you’ve got to go for it!

The Sentimental Gardener is expanding beyond Substack – I'm launching a podcast!

For those who've been reading my stories here, you know I'm fascinated by the memories and meaning we find in our gardens. How violets from my Nan's garden transport me back to her kitchen counter. How hydrangeas connect me to my Grandma. How every plant tells a story of someone I've loved or somewhere I've been.

What's the podcast about?

I'll have conversations with all kinds of garden people – from enthusiastic everyday gardeners like myself to designers, plant specialists, and anyone with a meaningful connection to plants.

We'll explore:

• The stories behind why people grow what they grow

• Plants that carry personal histories and special memories

• The winding paths that led people to their love of gardens

• How gardens help us connect to ourselves, each other, and the natural world

Unlike other (amazing) gardening podcasts focused on tips and techniques, we'll dig into the personal stories and emotional connections people have with their gardens and the plants they grow.

When is it launching?

The trailer is LIVE today! You can listen here:

Full episodes begin end of April 2025.

Why a podcast?

There's something special about hearing someone's voice as they share what a particular plant means to them. The way their eyes soften when describing their grandmother's vegetable patch. The excitement when talking about a cutting that finally took root. These stories deserve to be heard, not just read.

Gardens aren't just collections of plants – they're collections of memories. And I can't wait to share more of these stories with you in this new format.

I'll still be writing here on Substack, but the podcast gives us a new way to explore how plants carry our stories and connect us to what matters most.

Whether you tend a sprawling botanical collection or just some pots on a windowsill, I'd love for you to join me on this journey.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode when we launch in April!

What plant in your garden holds a special memory for you? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments.

Thank you for following,

🌱 Cass

P.S. I’ve put together a website too to make it easier to follow along, so I invite you to check that out: thesentimentalgardener.com