The Year I Learned to Grow

Easy Resources to Start Gardening & A Free Herb Growing Workshop

The year I learned to grow, I didn’t just plant seeds. I planted resilience. I planted patience. I planted the version of myself that would one day look back and say, “Wow, I did that.”

I didn’t grow up on a farm. I didn’t inherit a legacy of green thumbs or handwritten garden journals passed down through generations. What I had was curiosity, a hunger to understand where food really came from, and—if I’m honest—a deep frustration with the way access to fresh, nourishing food is still a privilege instead of a right.

So I started. With what I had.

An eagerness to learn by volunteering on organic farms, applying to community gardens, becoming friends with farmers, gardeners, and planting seeds in small containers.

You’re not alone. I can’t tell you how many people have told me:

• “I wish I could grow, but I just have a black thumb.”

• “I tried to start a garden and only grew weeds.”

• “I don’t know where to begin and don’t have the space.”

It turns out, learning to grow isn’t just about plants. It’s about possibility.

So if you’re in your first year—struggling, questioning, wondering if it’s even worth it—know this: Growth happens in the in-between. In the days when nothing seems to be sprouting. In the lessons you learn when things don’t go as planned. And in the moment you take a bite of something you grew with your own hands and think, Wow. I did that.

April 26, 2022: I planted my first herbs in a community garden!

5 Ways You Can Start Gardening This Year

1. Find a Community Garden Near You

If you don’t have space at home, growing in community is an incredible option! Many community gardens offer shared spaces, tools, support, and mentorship for new gardeners

• Search for: “Community Gardens Near Me” or “Victory Gardens Near Me.”

• Apply now! Most community gardens accept applications in the spring and look for year-round growers.

2. Regrow Spring Onions in 5 Easy Steps 🌱

Want an effortless way to prove to yourself that you can grow something? Try this simple hack:

1. Go to the grocery store and buy spring onions with the roots.

2. Use them in a meal—chop them up and enjoy!

3. Save the white stems with roots and place the ends in a glass of water.

4. Watch them grow back in just a few days.

5. Congratulations—you’re a gardener!

3. Start Small with Herbs

Herbs are an amazing way to start gardening, even if you only have a kitchen windowsill. You can:

• Buy herbs with roots from the grocery store or your local nursery and when you get home, repot the plant in a 6-inch container with drainage holes.

• Snip fresh herbs all year long.

4. Join My FREE Virtual Herb Gardening Workshop!

I’m partnering with Hackensack Meridian Health to bring you a hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop all about growing your own herbs at home.

Homegrown Herbs: Fresh Flavors at Your Fingertips

• Learn the best herbs for small spaces.

• Get simple care tips to keep your herbs thriving.

• Discover creative ways to use them in your kitchen for endless fresh flavors.

📅 When: March 11th from 6-7 pm📍 Where: Online (free to attend!)

🔗 Register to Attend the Herb Workshop Here!

✨ Replay Available

5. Make an Herbalicious Mocktail! 🍹

Your new herb garden doesn’t have to wait for summer! Start now by using fresh herbs to create a delicious, garden-inspired drink. Try muddling mint, basil, or rosemary into a citrusy mocktail and toast to your new gardening journey!

Here is one of my favorite go-to recipes: Cucumber Mint Mocktail

Brittney’s Note: I skip the Elderflower cordial, and sometimes I leave the cucumber pulp because why not eat more nutrients!

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So, what’s stopping you? Let this be the year you finally grow.

Join me in this free urban gardening series and take your first step toward an abundant, homegrown future!

PS. Feel free to sign up for our upcoming workshops as well!

📌 March 11: Homegrown Herbs: Fresh Flavors at Your Fingertips 6-7pm

📌 March 25: Salad Greens Galore: Learn to Grow Your Own Fresh Salad 6-7pm

📌 April 8: The Power of Flowers: Beauty, Protection, and Practical Uses 6-7pm

Sending light and Love,

xx Brittney