15 Feb 2022
A woman from Lincoln found solace in her garden after falling ill and turning it into something magical – and has won the 2021 Garden Guru Award.
Susan Moon has never gardened before but soon started after falling ill and experiencing what she describes as “rock bottom.”
She said: “I was just at rock bottom really and I could’ve given up. But I just kept doing bits by bit.”
Susan has never had a garden to admire and relax in. So when she found out her new home has a garden she was overfilled with joy and excitement.
However, when Susan moved into her home, she was devasted by the long grass and weeds that sheltered her garden.
She believed in how a garden can complete a home but didn’t believe she had the strength and skills to turn her garden around into something she envisioned.
After encouragement from the community and her neighbours, Susan put her ideas to paper.
She said: “People said to me ‘You can do it, you’re really positive, get in there.’
“And it’s taken a long time, but I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Susan never thought she could achieve what she has today. But with drive and determination she sat down with a pen in hand and designed sections of her garden.
A section for the wildlife that greet her on a morning, a section for her friends to enjoy the warm sun and drinks, another section for her family and grandkids to play and make memories and a section for Susan. To sit back and overlook just what she has achieved.
Susan said: “I’ve picked up things as I’ve gone along. I’ve made mistakes but I’ve always tried to have a go at something.”
With the help of her son to level the garden and the garden tool donations from the community, Susan has turned her overgrown and neglected garden into something beautiful.
Now she can use her vouchers that she won to make her garden even more magical. With a glazed eye, Susan said: “I’ve can’t believe I’ve won.”
And now she has a treasure she can cherish forever. Her wonderful garden.
Listen to Susan’s story in her own words…
See the moment we announced the winner of the Garden Guru Award.