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Hello, I’m Donna, a garden designer, gardener, and passionate plants woman based in York, North Yorkshire.

At The Granary Garden, I specialise in crafting timeless, abundant gardens and borders inspired by the natural beauty of cottage gardens — soft planting, layered textures, and an effortless sense of charm.

I create gardens that feel like stories, where every plant has a place and every season brings a new sense of joy.

I believe every outdoor space, no matter the size, holds the potential to become a sanctuary. Whether you're dreaming of a full garden transformation or simply want to reimagine a single border, I’ll work with you to create something timelessly beautiful and uniquely yours.

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As featured at Gardeners’ World Live

From maiden to mother

My show border, From Maiden to Mother, was a deeply personal design representing my own transformation from a career in accountancy to a life in horticulture, following the birth of my son. The planting reflected everything I love: relaxed textures, romantic colour palettes, and the balance between structure and wildness. It was an honour to share this journey through the language of plants.

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Services

Full garden and border design

Planting plans with seasonal interest

Plant sourcing and planting

Ongoing care guidance and maintenance support

I work in person across York, helping clients grow gardens they truly love and I also offer virtual design consultations, so no matter where you are, we can bring your garden ideas to life.

👩🏽‍🌾 Seaweed feed 🌊

Give your plants the boost they deserve!

Packed with natural nutrients, Shropshire seaweed plant feed helps roots grow strong, leaves flourish, and blooms shine brighter than ever.

Autumn may be on its way, but there are so many flowers still to come in my garden, especially my dahlias that have just started flowering! So each week I’m giving them a seaweed feed to encourage abundant blooms.

Your plants are asking for it… comment SEAWEED and I’ll send you the link to the feed they’ve been dreaming of!

#thegranarygarden #seaweedfeed #shropshireseaweed #flowergarden #containergrowing #dahlias #organicgardening

👩🏽‍🌾 September in the garden 🍂

A month of harvests and preparation.

Here’s your to-do list:
🍂Sow hardy annual seeds such as cornflower, nigella and Orlaya
🍂Harvest the last of your summer crops
🍂Save seeds from flowers & veg for next year
🍂Plant garlic, onion sets & spring bulbs
🍂Review your garden, what’s worked well and areas you may change for next year

This month is all about gathering what’s left and planting ahead for the seasons to come.

What’s the first thing on your September garden checklist?

#thegranarygarden #septembergarden #autumngardening #harvestseason #seedsaving #sustainablegardening

👩🏽‍🌾 Meadow box workshop 💐

A wonderful day at Flowers from the Garden, creating meadow boxes brimming with texture and colour.

It was so lovely to meet everyone who came along and to see your meadow-inspired designs take shape.

It felt great to be back. Alison’s ethos of working with nature and weaving that consciousness into her workshops and displays is truly inspiring.

Already looking forward to the next one!

What have you been giving your time to this weekend?

#thegranarygarden #flowersfromthegarden #flowerarranging #meadowbox #workingwithnature #connectionwithnature

👩🏽�‍🌾 August allotment tour 🌱

Calendula, beetroot, fennel, Swiss chard, broad beans, leafy greens, peas, borlotti beans, cosmos, courgette and pumpkin.

#thegranarygarden #allotmenttour #growyourown #growyourownveg #veggarden #veggrowing #cottagegarden

👩🏽‍🌾 August Greenhouse tour 🌱

Come and take a look inside.

We’ve got seedlings, fruits and veggies, oh and some flowers looking beautiful whilst do their job of pest control!

What have you got growing in your greenhouse?

#thegranarygarden #summerinthegreenhouse #gardenersofinstagram #greenhousetour #growyourownflowers #growyourownfood #cutflowers #growingfromseed

👩🏽‍🌾 Borlotti Beans 🫘

I love cracking open these beautiful pods and seeing the jewel like cream, pink and red beans inside.

They’re not just beautiful though, being vegetarian beans are a staple in my meals. These beans are great for storing and make the most delicious soups, stews and salads.

Do you grow borlotti beans?

#thegranarygarden #growyourownfood #vegetarian #borlottibeans #homegrownharvest

👩🏽‍🌾 Direct sowing leafy greens 🥬

Here I’m sowing:
🥬 Spinach ‘Perpetual’
🥬 Kale ‘Nero di Toscana’
🥬 Lettuce ‘Sioux’
🥬 Lettuce ‘Speckled Trout’

A few weeks from now, this bed will be bursting with the freshest green leaves…

As long as:
☀️ The drought doesn’t persist
🐛 The pigeons and caterpillars don’t get there before me!

What’s in your late summer sowing list?

#thegranarygarden #leafygreens #autumnsowing #seedsowing #directsowing

👩🏽‍🌾 Is there such a thing as too many seeds? 🌷

I thought I had enough seeds for next year.

Then The Hampshire Seed Company popped up in my feed with some new varieties I don’t have… well one thing led to another and seeds got put in my basket and so basically when my order arrives I will have enough seeds for next year.

Maybe…

I’d love to know:

What’s the one seed you always grow?

Which new variety are you trying next year?

I’ll try not to add them to my collection.

#thegranarygarden #toomanyseeds #sowingseeds #growyourownflowers #growingfromseed #growyourown #growyourownfood #selfsufficiency #tryingnewthings

👩🏽‍🌾 BlackBerry Bakewell tart 🥧

A few blackberries made it home instead of being eaten straight from the bramble by my little assistant… just enough for a Bakewell tart.

It’s my favourite dessert, and this one (Naomi Devlin’s gluten-free recipe) is absolutely delicious.

This time I took a little shortcut and bought the pastry from Sue’s Gluten Free Kitchen it is the first time I’ve tried it, and it was so easy to use.

We still thoroughly enjoyed making the blackberry preserve and frangipane though, which really is the heart of a Bakewell tart and was precious time spent with my son.

What’s your favourite way to enjoy blackberries?

#thegranarygarden #bakewelltart #fromplottoplate #homemade #familytime #motherhood #blackberryrecipe

👩🏽‍🌾 Fruit harvest 💙

I’d say I’m going to cook with them, but my little assistant is eating on the job!

I don’t think I can save the blackberries from being devoured, but maybe some plums will survive!

Send me your favourite plum bakes?

#thegranarygarden #harvest #fruitharvest #reciperecommendations #recipeinspiration #motherhood #homegrownfruit

👩🏽‍🌾 Beautiful Blooms 💐

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this homegrown bouquet? 💐

Sown and grown by my dear friend,
and gifted to me as a “well done” for passing my RHS exams.

A gesture full of kindness, thoughtfulness,
and the most beautiful blooms.

Feeling very grateful and adding all the flower seeds to my basket to grow next year and continue this wonderful gift of homegrown gifting.

What flowers do you grow for cutting?

#thegranarygarden #cutflowers #cutflowergarden #growyourownflowers #flowergarden #cottagegarden #homegrowngifts #friendship #beautifulblooms

👩🏽‍🌾 Robin’s Pincushion 🌹

This fluffy, red-pink ball on your roses isn’t a flower or a fruit… it’s a gall!

Also known as Bedeguar Gall.

It is caused by a tiny gall wasp.

The female lays her eggs in the developing rose bud and the plant reacts by forming this gall around them.

However, I like to believe this is how it is created… in folklore they say it was created by woodland fairies (which we know I have lots of) or gifted by Robin Goodfellow (a mischievous spirit of the woods) 🧚🏽‍♀️

The gall is the home and food source for the wasp larvae until they emerge next spring.

It doesn’t usually cause any harm to the Rose.

What a beautiful reminder of how insects and plants create bonds that keep the magic alive in nature.

Have you found any on your Roses this year yet?

#thegranarygarden #robinsoincushion #bedeguargall #waspgall #rosegall #nature #folklore #natureinthegarden

👩🏽‍🌾 Lavender pruning ✂️

Keep your lavender healthy, bushy, and blooming beautifully year after year.

💜Now is a perfect time to prune lavender, once the flowers have gone over and the bees thoroughly enjoyed them.

💜Good secateurs make neat cuts and help avoid damaging stems.

💜Cut down to just above a pair of fresh new leaves. This is where new growth will come from!

💜 I have tied my lavender with some jute so that I can dry the stems once I have finished pruning

💜 Don’t cut into woody stems.
Lavender doesn’t regrow well from old, woody stems.

💜 Aim for a neat, rounded shape

Whether pruning in pots or beds you can save your lavender stems for drying.

Even my potted lavenders, still waiting to be planted out, are loving the refresh.

#thegranarygarden #lavenderpruning #pottedlavender #growyourown #gardeningtasks #pruning #driedflowers #everlastingflowers

👩🏽‍🌾 Saving seeds 🌱

Every seed holds a story.

Saving seeds is like saving memories, little packets of joy from the garden you’ve grown and loved.

I love being able to collect and regrow my favourite plants year after year. It’s one of the simplest ways to be a little more self-sufficient and saves money too!

This year I’m saving:
🌱 Aquilegia
🌱 Nigella
🌱 Astrantia

And soon I’ll be adding Nasturtium and Orlaya, just waiting for the seeds to dry before storing.

Do you save seeds from your garden? I’d love to know which ones

#thegranarygarden #seedsaving #savingseeds #selfsufficientliving #selfsufficiency #freeplants #growyourown #growingfromseed

👩🏽‍🌾 Time to celebrate 🥳

I passed my RHS exam… with a distinction!

So grateful for all your support, encouragement, and helpful tips with all the Latin names, pests, and diseases for my RHS exam.

Roll on the theory course in September… I’m super excited, motivated and inspired for this next chapter!

#thegranarygarden #rhslearning #rhsexams #passedwithdistinction #celebrate #alwayslearning #grateful

👩🏽‍🌾 Time to celebrate 🥳

I passed my RHS course… with a distinction!

So grateful for all your support, encouragement, and helpful tips with all the Latin names, pests, and diseases for my RHS exam.

Roll on the theory course in September… I’m super excited, motivated and inspired for this next chapter!

#thegranarygarden #rhslearning #rhsexams #passedwithdistinction #celebrate #alwayslearning #grateful

👩🏽‍🌾 August Garden Jobs 🌷

Here’s what I’m doing in the garden and allotment in August:

Deadheading and taking cut flowers to encourage more blooms especially my sweet peas and cosmos.
Harvesting soft fruit and summer veg daily, it is so gratifying to harvest your home grown food.

Sowing late salad leaves, radish and nasturtium, speedy germination and a prolong season of home grown food, what more could you want from your seed sowing.

Taking softwood cuttings of lavender and rosemary, not only will you have an abundance of new plants for next year but they are free!

Pruning lavender and setting the flowers aside to dry... sleepover guests, you’re very welcome for the fragrant bundles waiting by your bedside.

Is it too soon to be this excited about spring flowers? Planning my autumn bulb order and feeling far too excited eek! As always I’m ordering them from Farmer Gracy!

Want a discount code for your Farmer Gracy bulbs order? Just comment ‘BULBS’ below and I’ll send it your way!

August is a time let the garden feed your body and soul.

#thegranarygarden #augustgardentasks #growyourown #seasonalgardening #harvests #propagation #springbulbs #augustinthegarden #farmergracy

👩🏽‍🌾 Four years of blooming love 🌷

Rooted deep and growing stronger with each year.

So grateful I get to love and be loved by you 🌷

#thegranarygarden #weddinganniversary #igettoloveyou #rooteddeep #growingstronger #foreverlove

👩🏽‍🌾 Oak Gall 🐝

Have you spotted something strange on your oak tree leaves?

You might be looking at oak galls. I saw some on my morning walk and these pink balls looked just like cake sprinkles, they were super tiny! These little growths are caused by tiny wasps laying their eggs on the leaves, stems or acorns.

Oak galls don’t usually harm the tree.

They’re part of the fascinating relationship between insects and plants that’s been going on for centuries.

Have you ever found one on your oak tree leaves?

#thegranarygarden #oakgall #treewisdom #organicgardening #natureinthegarden

👩🏽‍🌾 Raising Hare 🤍

What a wonderful book, absolutely magical.

So beautifully written, and full of wisdom.

There’s so much to take away, and even more to feel.

Have you read it?

#thegranarygarden #raisinghare #teamhare #nature #wildishome #readthisbook

👩🏽‍🌾 July allotment tour 🌱

Calendula, beetroot, Swiss chard, broad beans, lettuce, peas, borlotti beans, cosmos, courgette, squash, kale and spinach!

#thegranarygarden #allotmenttour #growyourown #growyourownveg #veggarden #veggrowing #cottagegarden

👩🏽‍🌾 You look happier 🌱

Thank you, I stopped doing what I thought I should do and started doing what I love.

Not only do I have my dream career but it means I get to be the mum I always wanted to be.

Present, connected and truly myself.
And that means everything.

#thegranarygarden #careerchange #maidentomother #lovemylife #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo #gardener #accountant

👩🏽‍🌾 Viburnum leaf beetle 🪲

Does your viburnum have lots of holes in its leaves?

You might be dealing with the viburnum leaf beetle. Both the larvae (spring) and the adult beetles (summer) feed on the leaves. Leaving them with an abundant of holes.

Most viburnums bounce back. But regular pruning the affected stems in winter (where the eggs are laid) can help reduce the population without chemicals.

Nature has its ebbs and flows and sometimes we just need to guide it gently.

Have your viburnums been nibbled this year?

#thegranarygarden #viburnumleafbettle #pestmanagement #organicgardening #gardeningtips

👩🏽‍🌾 June Greenhouse tour 🌶️

#thegranarygarden #summerinthegreenhouse #gardenersofinstagram #greenhousetour #growyourownflowers #growyourownfood

👩🏽‍🌾 Perfectly pickled 🥒

Gherkins… from plot to jar!

Here is the recipe:
🥒 350g gherkins
💦 300ml water
💛 300ml organic cider vinegar
⚪️ 1 & 1/2 tbsp sugar

For each jar:
🌿 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
🧄 1/4 clove of garlic
🍃 1 bay leaf
🧂 large pinch of salt and pepper

1. Steralise 3 x 300ml jars and lids
2. Add all the liquid into a pan and heat up, don’t let it boil
3. Slice your gherkins
4. Measure the herbs and spices into each sterilised jar
5. Add your sliced gherkins and pack them in tight leaving a small gap at the top
6. Pour in your warm liquid so it is covering all the gherkins
7. Leave for at least 3 days to pickle

This is my first time growing gherkins and I love them!

Gherkins… love them or hate them?

#thegranarygarden #perfectlypickled #gherkin #plottoplate #growyourownfood #preserving

👩🏽‍🌾 Yorkshire hosepipe ban 💦

The hosepipe ban in Yorkshire may be causing unease.

But actually it is a reminder to slow down. We are being given no choice but to slow down in our garden rituals. Which if you think about it, isn’t that what gardening is all about.

Taking the time over our plants. It gives us the opportunity to actually look at each plant in detail, see how beautiful it is and appreciate the joy that it’s brings to our garden or allotment.

Drinking wine not water and showering with your plants are valid water savers but below are some that your plants will appreciate much more:

💦 Water Deeply, Not Often

Water less frequently, but soak the soil thoroughly when you do. Watering early morning or late evening is best to reduce evaporation.

💦 Prioritise Your Plants

Focus on trees, shrubs, fruit/veg, and young or newly planted specimens. Established perennials can usually handle a dry spell.

💦 Create Shade

Use old sheets to protect sensitive crops during peak sun. Move potted plants into partial shade if possible.

💦 Improve Soil Health

Add compost to increase water-holding capacity as a healthy soil acts like a sponge and holds moisture better.

Let me know of any changes you’re making in your garden to deal with the warmer weather?

#thegranarygarden #hosepipeban #savewater #improvesoilhealth #prioritiseyourplants #wateringplan

👩🏽‍🌾 Wentworth Woodhouse 💐

Yesterday I visited the RHS flower show at Wentworth Woodhouse and it is one not to miss!

There was so much to see, I nearly didn’t have enough time!

Lots of inspiration was taken from the show gardens and long gardens.

Here are some of my favourite parts from the show.

Have you visited yet?

#thegranarygarden #gardendesign #wentworthwoodhouse #rhs #flowershow #gardeninspiration

👩🏽‍🌾 Walnut Gall 🐝

Have you ever spotted these off little bumps on your walnut leaves?

I first encountered them at my WRAGs garden.

It is called walnut gall and it is formed by the tree when the gall wasp lays its eggs on the leaf, the tree makes the larvae a little home! Too cute!

Walnut gall doesn’t harm the tree so there is no need to treat it, it’s just part of the tree’s natural interaction with its environment, which I find fascinating.

I always think things like this remind us of how much is going on in the garden that we don’t always see.

Have you found them on your walnut tree?

#thegranarygarden #walnutgall #treewisdom #natureinthegarden #cottagegarden

👩🏽‍🌾 Garden Design course recommendations 🌱

I was hoping to do a Garden Design course at The Yorkshire School of Garden Design next year, but it looks like they might not be running them anymore… Do you know of any other in-person courses near North Yorkshire that you’d recommend?

#thegranarygarden #gardener #gardendesign #alwayslearning #recommendationsplease #northyorkshire

POV: you made a career change 10 months ago, and now your working day looks like this…

You rise with the sun, work with your hands, and rest in rhythm with the land.

What once was pressure is now purpose. What once was noise is now birdsong.

It’s still work — but you’re no longer just making a living. You’re making a life.

#thegranarygarden #FromAccountsToAsters #CareerChange #GardenerLife #livethelifeyoulove #gardencareer #dowhatyoulove #workinbloom

👩🏽‍🌾 Thinning apples 🍎

It might feel a little counterintuitive, but removing some of your developing apples now means better fruit later.

By thinning clusters down to one or two apples, you’re giving the remaining fruit more space, sunlight, and energy to grow, resulting in healthier trees and a more juicy and delicious harvest.

It is best to wait until after the natural June drop, then gently twist away the smallest or damaged fruits.

Do you thin your apples?

#thegranarygarden #AppleThinning #JulyInTheGarden #FruitTreeCare #CottageGardenTips

👩🏽‍🌾 Rosemary cuttings 🌱

These little sprigs, full of scent and promise, will (hopefully!) root into something beautiful.

Perfect for filling borders, pots, or gifting to a friend.

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking cuttings, turning one plant into many for free.

Here’s how I do it:
🌱 Choose non-flowering stems, around 10cm long
🌱 Snip just below a leaf node
🌱 Strip the lower leaves leaving 3 or 4 at the top
🌱 Pop into gritty compost or a mix of compost & perlite (which is what I have used here)
🌱 Keep them moist + out of direct sun but they can be kept outdoors at this time of year
🌱 Wait patiently roots take 2–6 weeks

Have you taken cuttings this year?

#thegranarygarden
#CottageGardenStyle #RosemaryCuttings #plantpropagation #takinbcuttings #gardeningtips

👩🏽‍🌾 Pear rust 🍐

It would seem the suckers coming from my pear tree have been affected with pear rust.

Type & transmission
🍐 Fungal
🍐 Requires a pear or juniper host

Susceptible plants
🍐 Pear & juniper trees

Damage
🍐 Bright orange spots on leaves
🍐 Defoliation

IPM (integrated pest management) control
🍐 Remove affected leaves
🍐 Eliminate host tree
🍐 Last resort use fungicides

Have you encountered rust on your pear or juniper tree? If so how have you managed it?

#thegranarygarden #ipmcontrol #rhslearning #pearrust #diseasemanagement #fungaldisease

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