My journey to Natural Gardening

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Growing up, I spent countless hours in the garden with my mum. I vividly remember carrying buckets of manure, fending off white butterflies with derris dust, and carefully applying snail bait around her brassicas. These practices were deeply ingrained in our family’s gardening traditions, passed down from Mum to me and from her father to her. They were part of what made our garden thrive, and yet, even as a child, I felt uneasy about killing any living creatures, even insects.

My discomfort with these methods was more than just a personal preference; it was a deep-seated feeling that I couldn't ignore. As I grew older and delved further into natural healing and gardening, I became increasingly committed to working harmoniously with nature. The more I learned about energy, the more I understood how traditional practices, like using snail bait, could seep into the soil and ultimately affect the plants—and us. I realized that our learned practices could have far-reaching impacts, and I felt compelled to find a more compassionate approach.

This journey led me to explore natural alternatives. Instead of relying on chemicals and sprays, I began incorporating natural gardening practices aligned with the moon’s cycles and the rhythms of nature. My new methods were a far cry from what Mum had taught me, and what Granddad had passed on to her, and initially, I struggled with the idea of deviating from their ways. It took a great deal of courage to share my new approaches with Mum, fearing she might view them as a rejection of her teachings.

To my relief and delight, Mum was fascinated by my new methods.

She may have found them unconventional, but she appreciated that I was nurturing the garden in a way that honored both tradition and nature. Before she passed away, she often said that while Granddad might be surprised by my methods, he would undoubtedly be proud of how I was tending to the garden. I know Mum was proud too.

This shift in perspective has not only influenced my gardening but has also transformed my approach to parenting and life itself. Just as I invite different solutions from my children, I’ve learned to embrace and encourage diverse perspectives and ways of living. It’s about living intentionally and staying true to what feels right for me while respecting and valuing the wisdom of the past.

I struggled with the idea of deviating from their ways. It took a great deal of courage to share my new approaches with Mum, fearing she might view them as a rejection of her teachings.

In light of this journey, I’m excited to share my latest project with you: my Companion Planting Guide and the Ultimate Companion Planting Guide. These guides are designed to help you understand which plants to grow together and which to avoid, providing natural ways to deter pests like white butterflies without using derris dust. They also offer alternative methods for repelling slugs and snails, moving away from traditional snail bait.

If this story resonates with you or sparks your curiosity about natural gardening practices, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to share your experiences or questions in the comments below. Remember, living intentionally is about finding what works best for you and honoring your inner knowing.

Until next time, keep smiling and stay true to yourself!

With love and gratitude,

Aley Young

Aley Young

Mother of 4, Reiki Master, Nature's elemental

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About this blog

I'm Aley Young, the heart behind this blog.

A soft, grounded space where healing, personal growth, real food, and gentle truth meet.

This is my living journal - a place where I share the moments, lessons, and inner shifts that have shaped my own journey, from nervous system healing and regulation to motherhood, identity, and becoming alongside the slower, earthier parts of life: the garden, the sourdough starter, the kitchen.

I'm a multi-passionate person, so you'll find writing here on whatever's actually inspiring me - that might be ancestral healing one week and something I learned from my swim training the next. I look at all of it through the same lens: as a healer, someone deeply connected, intuitive, and grounded.

From slow living and mindfulness, to rebuilding self-trust and reconnecting with your intuition, to companion planting and everyday baking - this is where I write the things I once needed to hear, and the things I've learned along the way.

Every piece here is an invitation to soften, breathe, and reconnect with who you're becoming.

This is a space for personal growth and real, grounded living, where you're supported in feeling seen and less alone as you rebuild yourself from the inside out.

Move slowly.

Begin wherever your heart lands.

  • Aley Young (Mother of 4, Reiki Master, BN, BA (Psychology and Education), Diploma in Small Business & Project Management)