Once upon a time…A Brush Became a Spade

Once upon a time, I worked as a painter and decorator. After years in that trade, I reached a point of self-doubt and change, and decided to retrain as a gardener. This border tells that personal story - the uncertainty of starting again, the learning process, and the confidence that has grown from it. The left-hand side reflects that earlier chapter, with softer, slightly unsettled planting and familiar tools from my previous career, suggesting a period of questioning and transition. A curved path leads through the border, symbolising movement and progress, guiding visitors beneath an arch as the story unfolds. As the path continues, the planting becomes bolder and more assured, developing into a prairie-inspired scheme filled with movement, colour and structure. This final section represents confidence, purpose and the establishment of my own gardening business. The border celebrates change, growth and the courage to begin again.