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After enduring the loss of her father and grandmother within a year, Hannah Matthews turned to her garden for solace. At 31, Hannah found that early mornings spent tending to her plants helped quiet her overactive mind. Gardening became not only a personal refuge but also a passion she shares with a growing number of young people who embrace horticulture on social media. With a following of over 70,000 on Instagram and TikTok, Hannah describes this gardening community as “booming,” providing a refreshing break from the often stressful nature of digital platforms. She hopes her content brings moments of peace to others amid the relentless scroll of everyday life.
Born in 1995 and raised in Newport, Hannah represents a generation straddling both analogue and digital worlds. She sees activities like gardening, cooking, and sewing as ways to push back against an overwhelming hyper-digital reality. For young people today, she notes, challenges abound—from economic hardship and climate change to a difficult job market and the rise of artificial intelligence. “I’m not saying we’ve had it harder than all other generations,” Hannah reflects, “but it is challenging being young and maybe having different expectations… and different opportunities.” Gardening offered her a “safe space” to nurture life in whatever form was accessible, be it a garden plot or potted plants indoors. It became particularly important following the personal losses she experienced in 2023, providing a quiet, healing routine without her consciously seeking therapy through it.
Hannah likens gardening to preparing for a marathon, with planning and nurturing done well in advance to enjoy a season’s bounty later on. Acknowledging the privilege of access to outdoor space, she also wants to inspire others who might only have limited room for plants. “Gardening can kind of be done in whatever space you have—pots on the kitchen window sill, things like that,” she said, emphasizing the joy in creating and growing something with one’s own hands. This mentality has resonated widely, mirroring experiences of others who have found comfort and community in gardening during trying times.
Among these is Naomi Saunders, who began gardening during lockdown and now cares for over 300 houseplants. From Felinheli in Gwynedd, Naomi documents her plants and vegetables on Instagram, where she has amassed a substantial following and even received invitations to prestigious events like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. She believes that young people are increasingly seeking ways to disconnect from their phones and engage in activities that offer genuine support and encouragement. Rachel Griffiths, another gardener interviewed, found her garden to be a vital source of hope during the pandemic while managing anxiety and postnatal depression. Meanwhile, Georgia Featherstone started a gardening club to build community and friendships among young women, highlighting how gardening can bring people together in a world where social media often feels isolating. Together, their stories illustrate how gardening serves as a meaningful escape and a source of connection for many in today’s fast-changing world
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