Garden Memories

Writing Prompt

Written by: Neive Tierney

While discussing the fires in LA with Stephanie, we contemplated what it would feel like for the people who lost their homes. We began to imagine these memories of homes and gardens and how that’s where these places still exist. Each person holds their place in their memories and the experiences they had there. The summer BBQs in the garden, playing with kids outside after school till the sun goes down, listening to the birds in the early mornings.

If we are being honest, in general, we have been feeling nostalgic for a time in the past when things felt more peaceful and manageable. Things have felt so hard and sad recently.

This conversation got us to discuss how inspiring it is in our work when our clients tell us about specific memories of an outdoor space they loved as a child. Sometimes it’s a home garden, other times it is a wander in the woods. These stories always spark design ideas since they come from such a tangible place for our clients -an authentic and heartfelt experience of wonder for the natural world as a child.

We got to thinking about writing memories of gardens past and wanted to share the idea with our community in the chance that it inspires you.

Here are some prompts to take or leave as you see fit:

-            Describe your childhood garden or a place you loved. If you did not have a garden, try a place outside where you went on a trip, your school yard, or a walk in town you took regularly.

-            What did it smell like?

-            What colors could you see?

-            What was the weather like?

-            How did you feel there?

-            Who was with you in the garden - family, a pet, a bird?

-            Did you play any games or make-believe?