Gardens

I was shown how to garden by my adoptive mother and Sean, the Irish navvy who lived in the orchard next door. I find great pleasure and peace in working in—and simply sitting in—my garden.

I often compare life to gardening. As with fostering, I believe that, like plants, children need to be in the right place, with the proper nourishment and nurture, or they will wither.

When I visit someone’s home, I’m far more interested in their garden than the inside of the house. A love of nature has never been more needed. Wherever we can, we should share our gardens and green spaces with children—otherwise, they may grow up not knowing the value of nature and become destructive in its absence.