In our ‘From the Plot’ series, we chat to inspiring growers who generously share their passion and knowledge with others. This month we spoke to Sam from @happy_place_gardener, a Mediterranean-style garden enthusiast with a passion for growing vegetables. Discover how she transformed her own outside space into a huge source of joy and inspiration…
My love of growing began in my grandparents’ gardens
Sam’s garden blooming in the sun
Image courtesy of Sam Maskell
My love of gardening started when I was a child; I loved visiting my grandparents and spending time in their gardens. The vegetable patch was always a highlight for me. I found it both exciting and rewarding to pick and enjoy fresh produce with muddy little hands.
I’ve removed most of my traditional lawn
Before and after photos of Sam’s garden
Images courtesy of Sam Maskell
I’ve spent most of my adult life container gardening, which is why my move from Hertfordshire to Worcester in 2017 was even more exciting. I inherited a fairly bland rectangle of grass, which I’ve since been able to put my own stamp on and turn into something unique.
At first, I used an A4 piece of paper to help plan and redesign the space but, over the years, I’ve removed almost all of the original lawn, saving a patch that I leave to grow wild. In 2019, I added a vegetable patch, which has since tripled in size. In early 2025, I redesigned half the garden again and did most of the hardscaping myself. It was challenging, but I loved it and am really pleased with the outcome.
Kohlrabi is my must-have veg
Sam with a kohlrabi picked straight from her veg patch
Image courtesy of Sam Maskell
‘More is more’ I always say! I love to see beds and gardens full of edible crops and flowers. Kohlrabi is an absolute must in my veg patch, as is Oca. I also love to grow tomatoes, brassicas and tomatillos too. Last year I was introduced to Cape Gooseberries which are delicious when homegrown, and a crop I will grow again and again.
I’m inspired by colourful Mediterranean gardens
Sam’s Mediterranean-inspired garden, filled with warm colours
Images courtesy of Sam Maskell
When it came to designing my garden, I wanted to create my own happy place (hence my Insta name). I love Mediterranean gardens for their hot colours, and enjoy flowing curves and circles over straight lines. My garden is now a place I feel proud of and enjoy losing myself in. It’s also home to lots of wildlife, which I love.
Plus, and perhaps most importantly, for many growers the online gardening community is very supportive – we can all take inspiration from one another, which is a beautiful thing and has helped me to create friendships.
Gardening is about having fun and celebrating successes
Sam holding dahlias, picked from her garden
Image courtesy of Sam Maskell
Last year I grew a 9kg winter squash! This year I had tomatoes ripe from the vine from early July well into October, and a jungle of basil in my greenhouse, which I love using to create delicious dishes.
My top tip for beginners is not to be afraid – if you want to grow something, give it a go! Though there are guidelines, there is no hard and fast or right or wrong, just lessons to be learned and fun to be had along the way. Oh, and we have all killed seedlings and plants – it’s all part of the process.
I swapped my HR career for a gardening business
A raised garden border designed and created by Sam
Image courtesy of Sam Maskell
For the last 3 years, I’ve offered talks on ‘Grow your Own’ and gardening at my local garden centre and to gardening groups, which I hope to do more of going forward. Last year I left a 21-year career in recruitment behind to follow my passion and move into the horticultural world and am looking at studying for a Garden Design diploma. I have started a plant design course to underpin my knowledge and potentially RHS qualification studies to start this autumn.
My new business, ‘Happy Place Planting and Design’ is something I’ve dreamt of for a long time. My focus is on plant planning & design, consultation and then the installation, whether it’s creating new growing spaces or reinvigorating existing spaces all to create more happy place gardens for people to enjoy. I work across Worcestershire and into surrounding areas, and am already loving my day to day working life, having completed work on 4 client installations in Autumn and with several booked to start from next month. I also hope to encourage more people to ‘Grow your Own’ and have my sights set on installing a new vegetable garden with flower beds for a client in 2026 which is incredibly exciting.
Grow like Sam
A vibrant red-orange flower with delicious, edible berries
Image: Physalis alkekengi from Suttons
If you want to grow like Sam, here are just a few of her favourites:
Follow Sam at @happy_place_gardener for ideas and tips on growing colourful, edible crops. To discover more inspirational growers, explore our ‘From the Plot’ series which is filled with practical tips and ideas.
