Any advice for beginners?

I think you always begin with the end in mind and ask yourself what you want to gain from your garden. I usually advise people to start small, with a container or a pot. Pay attention to what the plant experiences and then adjust. Paying attention helps you recognize patterns, and those patterns are so reassuring. They take us back to the seasons and the predictable things, offering a sense of security.

When you’re picking a space for your garden, in addition to being small, make the expectation realistic. Plants need water, light, soil to stabilize them, and nutrients, so choose a place that can provide the basics. Once you find a spot that suits what you want to accomplish, notice how you experience that space. This is where the intentionality and mindfulness begin—choosing a place that supports your success.

Butterfly Garden

Pinder’s tips for creating a blissful space for nature’s fluttering beauties

• Choose a sunny spot

• Plant flowers like milkweed to feed Monarch caterpillars

• Plant penta and salvia to attract butterflies of all sizes

• If planting indoors, plants in the pothos family (philodendron, thaumatophyllum, epipremnum aureum) are resilient and forgiving. Vining plants are vigorous and grow roots from their internodes, so if you mess up, you can always salvage pieces and start again.

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