Join the Quiet Rebellion: Small Spaces, Big Impact

Garden design isn’t about perfect rows or manicured lawns. Growing your own food—veggies, herbs, whatever calls to you—doesn’t require wide-open land. What it does require is creativity, a willingness to get your hands in the soil, and the courage and perhaps tapping back into a wild heartedness to begin. I know, because this is what I’ve done: hands in the soil to move myself into well-being and into community.

Planting for pollinators is an act of faith—and always wonder. There’s nothing quite like watching a bee or butterfly arrive, as if called by the bloom. This has happened so much lately with planting. Also, when it comes to well-being, we don’t need to rely solely on the grocery store. We can support farmers’ markets, visit a roadside stall, or join a community garden. These small choices are part of a quiet rebellion—a return to living in rhythm with the earth.

I believe every balcony, every patio, and every container holds the power to reclaim space and nurture life. This isn’t just gardening—it’s a radical act of love and stewardship. Whether you’re tending a single pot or a full yard, your choices matter. They ripple outward, planting the seeds of a movement rooted in connection, ecology, and soulful resistance.

I know I keep returning to this one seed:

We don’t have the luxury of time. Repeat this.

We are time in motion.

The future isn’t out there somewhere—it’s right here, in our choices, our soil-stained hands, and our willingness to start.

And yes, it is hard to start. But you can.

Practical Ways to Start—Where You Are, With What You Have

You don’t need to buy all new containers or start from scratch. Here are a few low-cost, sustainable ways to begin or expand your garden—especially for small spaces:

🌱 Reuse and Repurpose: Check your local Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, or neighborhood swaps. I’ve found planters, old baskets, and even wooden crates that make beautiful, rustic containers.

🌱 Thrift Your Garden: Thrift stores are often full of hidden gems—ceramic pots, galvanized tubs, and woven baskets (just line with burlap). With a little imagination, almost anything can become a planter.

🌱 Get Creative with What You Have: Sustainable coffee sacks, burlap bags, and even old canvas totes can hold soil for herbs or shallow-rooted veggies. Punch in some drainage holes, fill with good soil, and you’re good to go.

🌱 Grow What You’ll Use: Start with what you love. A pot of basil, a cherry tomato plant, or a small pollinator mix can go a long way in bringing joy—and function—to your space.

🌱 Use Native Plants: They’re low maintenance, support local pollinators, and adapt better to your environment. Support your local nursery, they will always carry native plants. Or search for nurseries that focus just on natives!

🌱 Water Wisely: Yes, containers do dry out faster—group them together to create a microclimate, and recommend using mulch (even leaf litter) to retain moisture. Also, drip systems, and the ancient and still effective using ollas.

🌿 P.S. You can also start by joining in a free pop-up on August 26th at local Wimberley Gardens, where I'll be sharing more about container gardening—focusing on pollinators, herbs, and veggies— More soon… I’d love to see you there, you quiet garden rebels in the making!

Grounded in gratitude

Christina