How The Griffin Garden Got Started : Gardening For Beginners, Serious Beginner!

In April 2023, my husband Cliff and I moved to Charleston SC. We found a dream home, with a beautiful piece of land, surrounded by stunning trees and a wide open space of freshly rolled sod.

We couldn't believe it. We had been visiting Charleston for many years, multiple times a year in fact. We truly loved being here and we couldn't believe that things had aligned for us to relocate. With both of us working remotely, especially since I started my own business business Amytime, as a Pinterest marketing expert consultant, we were free to move!

I still remember the very first time we saw our house. We actually thought it was being built for someone else. Our realtor told us he had a custom build to show us, in case we might be interested. It was pouring down with rain, the roads were flooding (welcome to Charleston), but when we drove by, both Cliff and I turned our heads, eyes wide....is that the house?!

We fell in love instantly. So instantly in fact we FaceTimed our families right away. Started picturing how we would set up our furniture and how to decorate the guest rooms for when said family came to visit.

The perfect spot to start a garden

And then I saw the garden. At the time, just under an acre of freshly laid sod. For the first time ever, we had an outdoor space to work with.

We had built our previous townhouse in Maryland, a typical condo style townhome with a HOA, with zero yard to maintain.

Now an acre, a totally fresh start. A little daunting but a whole lot exciting.

Now before you start to think I am some master gardener. I am not. Far from it.

Confession: I have killed every succulent I have ever been gifted or bought. Sorry friends.

I was notorious for killing houseplants and could never be trusted to water my mum's garden. Sorry mum.

But....in 2023, shortly after we moved in to this house, I became quite unwell and needed a break from work. I walked away from my business, not knowing when I would return.

Shortly before taking that break I had began to envision what a potential garden could look like and ordered these 2 raised bed containers from Amazon. My Instagram audience helped me pick them out!

I still remember my best friend saying "Amy, start small." - whoops.

My very first raised garden beds from Amazon

After building the first 2 beds, I ordered 2 more. One trip to the local Herb Farm for a few plants and a few visits more, I was hooked.

As the days and weeks went on from stepping away from work, I was caring for this growing garden and finding so much joy, and so much peace. I actually grew tomatoes! I actually had peppers growing! I actually had flowers blooming. I could actually keep something alive? This is a miracle!

And so it began. The Griffin Garden. Every day I would spend time in the garden, failing and learning. Hoping and praying. And smiling every single time.

I have so much to say, so much to share. Thank you for following along. I hope this will become a journal entry of sorts, sharing the lessons of life in the garden and inspiring you to try just a little bit.....I happen to know the easiest houseplants that are impossible to kill if you want to start there!

Anyway, thank you friend. I am delighted you're here.