The abundance of green space in Edinburgh is one of its greatest assets. However, away from the grandeur of Holyrood Park, private gardens give the most intimate portrait of the city and its people. Sarah Mitchell is a former publisher, single mother of two, Edinburgh resident and most importantly, a newly trained garden designer. Her story inspires us to think about reinvention and fulfilment with Edinburgh at its core.
Her new garden design business breaks the mould of an industry associated with men in white vans and a love for power tools. Clients have even asked her if she would take a pay cut because female gardeners supposedly “get less done”. However, most of Sarah’s experiences as a female gardener are overwhelmingly positive. Every morning she works with an entirely female high-end gardening service. Her employer says female gardeners often work with more precision and patience. She attributes her popularity with new clients to her age and gender – “they don’t even ask for credentials”. Having felt that being a middle-aged woman can make one feel “invisible”, the interest and encouragement she has received as a gardener has been revitalising and fulfilling.
Having retrained at Scotland’s Rural College for free, Sarah feels it was “cool to say ‘I don’t know’” and start something totally new. From the “posh eccentrics in New Town to Grandma Pam in Duddingston”, Edinburgh’s variety has released newfound sentimentality and connection towards her community. She explained the “huge buzz” of knowing that people appreciate her work, a distinct change from office life. “Plants are just a medium” to her role as a therapist, friend and assistant to many of her clients who often can’t care for a garden themselves due to lack of knowledge or physical ability.
It’s easy to feel powerless in life. Sarah serves as a reminder that fulfilment can come from taking a leap of faith. Feeling connected to local places and people, regardless of who we are, at any time in life, is important. With its varied communities and spaces, Edinburgh has plenty to offer. For anyone looking to get involved in gardening, Sarah says the Duddingston Dirty Weekenders should be your first point of call.Illustration by Rosie Warwood