In our ‘From the Plot’ series, we chat to inspiring growers who share their passion and knowledge with others. This month, Danica from @dwgrows reveals how curiosity propelled her from a small container garden in Norwich city centre to a modern half-acre of cottage-style raised beds. Read on to learn about the highs, the lows and the crop that will always have her heart…
Curiosity inspired me to start gardening
Image courtesy of Danica Walpole
I first started gardening in 2019 in a Norwich city centre shared garden with nothing but containers and a lot of curiosity. I grew up in Essex backing onto Epping Forest, but the outdoors never felt particularly accessible to me growing up. It wasn’t until I gave container growing a go that I discovered just how transformative gardening could be – particularly for my mental health. In 2024 I moved into my 1890s cottage with a half-acre plot, and I haven’t looked back since.
My cottage influenced my gardening style
Images courtesy of Danica Walpole
I’d describe my gardening style as modern cottage. I like to blend the romantic, abundant aesthetic of a traditional cottage garden with a practical, accessible approach that works for real life. I’m not precious about perfection – I want my garden to be beautiful AND productive, and I believe those two things can absolutely coexist. I garden in full glam if the mood takes me, and I firmly believe there’s room in the gardening world for everyone, exactly as they are.
The garden itself inspired me
Image courtesy of Danica Walpole
When I moved in, the garden was predominantly manicured lawn with a centuries-old Bramley apple tree, a pond, and a lot of potential. I saw it as a blank canvas and set about transforming one side entirely into no-dig raised beds and a polytunnel (an experience I won’t be repeating in a hurry). The cottage’s 1890s heritage inspired the romantic, abundant planting style, while my container growing background kept me grounded in accessibility and practicality.
I love to grow tomatoes
Image courtesy of Danica Walpole
Tomatoes will always have my heart – they were one of the first things I successfully grew in containers and they still feel like magic every year. I also love growing dahlias and other flowers for cutting, salad leaves for speed and satisfaction, and I’m increasingly obsessed with heritage and unusual varieties that you simply can’t find in supermarkets.
Starting small is the best approach
Image courtesy of Danica Walpole
My tip for beginners is to start smaller than you think you need to. One container, one plant, one success – that’s all it takes to build confidence. The theory doesn’t change whether you’re working with a windowsill or an acre, so start where you are and grow from there. Literally.
I’m proud of the community I’ve built
Image courtesy of Danica Walpole
Attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as an accredited press creator was a real highlight – interviewing world-renowned garden designers and translating their expertise for everyday gardeners felt like everything I’ve been working towards. I’m also proud of transforming my half-acre plot from lawn to a productive growing space, and of building a community of people who finally feel like gardening is for them.
New growing challenges excite me
Image courtesy of Danica Walpole
I love the challenge of growing – whether that’s new crops, new flowers, or pastures new! I’m always looking for the next thing to learn, the next variety to try, and the next way to surprise myself in the garden. Watch this space!
Inspiring others is everything to me
Image courtesy of Danica Walpole
I started sharing content online as an accountability tool during a difficult period with my mental health, and what I found was community. People who wanted to grow alongside me, ask questions, and finally feel like gardening was for them too. That’s what keeps me going – not the perfect harvest or the most beautiful border, but the person who comments saying they finally gave it a go. That’s everything.
Grow like Danica
Image: Tomato ‘Fraise’ – Heirloom Tomato Seeds from Suttons.
If you want to grow like Danica, here are just a few of her favourite crops:
Follow Danica at @dwgrows for ideas and tips on growing colourful, edible crops. To discover more inspirational growers, explore our ‘From the Plot’ series.
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