May is when the garden kicks into full gear. Seedlings are getting stronger, the last frosts are (hopefully!) behind us, and there’s a real sense of momentum in the air. The soil warms, the days are noticeably longer, and with each passing day, your plot starts to look more promising of the bounty to come and less like a blank canvas. But while your hands are busy planting out courgettes or checking for slug damage on the beans, there’s another quiet question to ask:
“What am I really growing here?”
Yes, we plant for food. For colour. For the satisfaction of saying “I grew that.” But more than that, we’re growing energy, calm, clarity — a little more peace in a chaotic world. And that’s why I want to bring in a simple concept that might help you think differently about the choices you make in the garden — and beyond.
🥬 What’s In Your (Garden) Trolley?
Ever heard of The Celery Test? It’s a metaphor from leadership writer Simon Sinek. Imagine four friends give you health advice. One says buy Oreos. One says M&Ms. Another suggests almond milk. And the last one recommends celery. Even if you don’t like celery stay with me!
You go to the shop and buy all four. Now imagine someone watching you unpack. Would they know what you stand for?
But if your trolley only has celery and almond milk, it’s clear: you care about health. You’re making aligned choices.
Now think about this in the garden. What are you choosing to plant? What are you making time for? Are your gardening habits reflecting what you really want more of in your life — like calm, energy, nourishment?
Because here’s the truth: it’s not just what you grow in the soil that matters. It’s what you grow in your day-to-day life🌼
🌱 May’s Growing List: Let’s Get Stuck In
Here’s what’s still perfect to plant out and sow right now:
- French beans, runner beans, and courgettes (indoors or out depending on your frost risk)
- Sweetcorn, squash, and pumpkins
- Swede, autumn cauliflower, and maincrop carrots
- Time to feed potatoes, mulch around strawberries, and keep an eye on onions
- You might be harvesting radishes (I am), spinach, mangetout, or even early peas
This month is all about nurturing growth. And just like your runner beans need support and space to spread, so do your habits.
🌿 Are You Choosing What Nourishes You?
Many of us are trying to do everything — in life and health — all at once. One day it’s a new diet, the next it’s YouTube workouts, skipping meals, over-caffeinating… and still feeling tired or wired.
Let’s loop back to the Celery Test where we can make it more personal to you.
Your body is always giving you clues: that afternoon energy crash, those sugar cravings, shoulder tension, restless sleep. They’re not random — they’re signals. What if you could learn to listen?
You could start by asking: “Does this habit leave me feeling more energised or more depleted?”
So when you:
- Spend 10 mindful minutes watering your tomatoes,
- Step outside barefoot while checking your courgettes,
- Or share a few spinach leaves with a neighbour…
… you’re choosing your version of celery. 🌱
💚 Sow An Extra Row (For Someone Else)
If you have space, sow a little extra. A few more beetroot or carrots can go a long way — for a neighbour, a foodbank, or a friend going through a tough time. We grow more than food in our gardens — we grow care, connection, and community.
🌞 Final Thought: Tune In, Don’t Tune Out
May is a time of abundance — but also of decision. The seeds you sow now will shape your harvest in July, August, and beyond. The same goes for your wellness.
So pause. Breathe. Ask yourself:
“Is this a celery moment?”
“Am I choosing what truly supports the life I want to grow?”
And if you’re unsure where to begin, that’s okay too. Maybe start with my free guide to creating calm in just 10 minutes, and an EXCLUSIVE discount for my readers and Budget Seeds fans.
Time to find your version of celery — and grow a life that feels good to live in.
