There are seasons when gardening feels like a checklist.
Water the plants. Pull the weeds. Keep everything alive.
And then there are moments when we remember why we started in the first place… the quiet joy of being outside, the beauty of something growing, the simple pleasure of tending to life.
Inspired by the idea of Feel Good Productivity from Ali Abdaal, I created this 5 Day Gardening Joy Challenge—a gentle invitation to do less, but enjoy more.
This isn’t about transforming your yard in five days.
It’s about noticing, nurturing, and reconnecting.
Let’s begin.
🌿 Day 1: Notice What’s Already Growing
Before you plant or plan anything new, pause.
Step outside with a cup of coffee and simply look around. What is already thriving? What is surprising you?
Sometimes joy begins with noticing. Do you journal or junk journal? Do a piece on Day 1 and reflect back on it in late June!
Curiosity prompt: What is growing here that I haven’t fully appreciated?
🌸 Day 2: Plant Something Just for Joy
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| Herb garden planter given to Bob by his staff when his dad passed away. |
Not for a project. Not for perfection.
Plant something that makes you smile—a bright flower, a favorite herb, or even a small pot by your door.
This is your reminder that gardening doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
🐝 Day 3: Create a Space for Life (Hello, Bee Bath!)
One of the simplest and most impactful things you can do is invite life into your garden.
A bee bath is a beautiful way to support pollinators while adding charm to your space. It can be as simple as a shallow dish with stones and water.
If you haven’t created one yet, I walk you through it step-by-step in this post:
How to Create a Simple Bee Bath for Your Garden
It’s a small act with a big ripple effect.
🌼 Day 4: Bring the Garden Inside
Cut a few blooms. Clip some greenery.
Place them in a simple vase or jar and set them where you’ll see them often—your kitchen counter, bedside table, or desk.
This is where your garden becomes part of your everyday life.
🌱 Day 5: Do One Small Thing That Feels Good
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| Terri, circa 1978 |
Not everything. Just one thing.
- Pull a few weeds
- Water your plants slowly and intentionally
- Rearrange a pot
- Sit and enjoy the space you’ve created
This is the heart of the challenge: choosing joy over obligation.
🌿 What This Challenge Is Really About
This challenge isn’t about productivity in the traditional sense.
It’s about creating a rhythm that feels sustainable, joyful, and aligned with the life you want to live.
Gardening has a way of teaching us that growth doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in small, consistent, meaningful moments.
And often, those are the ones we remember most.
🌸 Join Me
If you decide to try the 5 Day Gardening Joy Challenge, I’d love to hear about it.
Share your moments, your photos, or even just what you noticed.
Because here’s the truth:
A beautiful garden isn’t built in a day.
But joy can be.
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