FOR THE LOVE OF SOIL, START WITH SOIL: JULIET SARGEANT
- Jennifer Jewell
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Juliet Sargeant is an award-winning English garden designer who blends beauty with purpose in every space she creates. Juliet’s unique background in medicine, science, and psychology gives her designs a whole new depth, focusing on wellbeing and connection.
You might recognize her name from that time in 2016 when she made history as the first Black Woman garden designer to display at the Chelsea Flower Show, and her design, Modern Slavery Garden, won a Gold Medal and the People’s Choice Prize.
On this week of Earth Day, we’re celebrating Juliet's design background and digging into her new book, “Start With Soil: Simple Steps for a Thriving Garden”, which publishes on May 1st from Frances Lincoln.
From Abra: I’m so thrilled to welcome someone whose work truly embodies the transformative power of gardens—Juliet Sargeant. If you don’t already know Juliet, you’re in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. Her passion for creating gardens is only matched by her deep love of the soil.
Many garden lovers were first introduced to Juliet through her incredible Modern Slavery Garden, which raised awareness about a critical social issue, as well as won two prizes. She’s the kind of person who seamlessly blends purpose and artistry, crafting gardens that promote wellbeing and connection. Her background in medicine, science, and psychology brings such a unique perspective to her designs—it’s no wonder she’s one of the most celebrated garden designers of our time.
Most importantly, she’s never forgotten that it all starts with the basics; getting your hands dirty in the soil. Juliet’s work reminds us how gardens can inspire, heal, and bring people together in profound ways.
Cultivating Place family, please enjoy this conversation with Juliet Sargeant, a visionary designer, a change-maker, and an extraordinary human being, and author of the new book
“Start with Soil: Simple steps for a thriving garden.”
Follow and support Juliet Online:
And on Instagram:
All Photos courtesy of Juliet Sargeant. All rights reserved.
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JOIN US again next week, to celebrate the abundance of May and the full throttle permission to plant felt around the country, we revisit a favorite conversation with Kristin Currin and Drew Merritt of Humble Roots Nursery in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge. They are also the authors of The Pacific Northwest Native Plant Primer, one of series of such primers by notded plantspeople around the country pointing us in the right, beautiful, and ecological planting direction as we enter High Garden season.... That's right here, next week. Listen in!
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supporting initiatives that empower women and help preserve the planet through the intersection of environmental advocacy, social justice, and creativity.
Thinking out loud this week...
Hey, y'all it's Abra—
Spring’s in the air, and it’s got me thinking about my favorite places
on earth, public gardens. There’s just something special about their
beauty and digging in the dirt alongside your neighbors. It’s not just about planting veggies and flowers—it’s about growing connections, too. Folks coming together, swapping stories, lending a hand—that’s the good stuff.
Gardens have a way of teaching us patience and gratitude. You put
in care and time, and life starts to bloom in ways you didn’t expect.
Isn’t that the truth about life, too? What you sow—kindness, love, a
little effort—always finds its way back to you.
So this spring, why not join your local public garden as a volunteer?
Grab a spade, get your hands dirty, and be part of something bigger
than yourself. Because it’s not just about what we grow—it’s about
the bonds we nurture. If you want to join me, come out to Oakland Cemetery in downtown Atlanta and lets get started together!
When I think about Juliet’s story, it’s remarkable how no matter how big or small the great gardens of the world all start with soil. Her work stands out not just for the creativity it brings to outdoor spaces but for how it tells important stories and fosters deeper connections. Juliet has this incredible ability to transform gardens into spaces that inspire, heal, and she encourages us to use our senses, get our hands dirty, and explore the soil.
What struck me most is how she sees the art of soil as the foundation of any beautiful garden. When we start with soil, gardens become more than just places to enjoy—they’re opportunities to spark awareness and promote wellbeing. Whether it’s her Modern Slavery Garden, a celebration of The Lion King, or her community-focused projects, Juliet’s gardens remind us of the profound impact nature can have on our lives.
I hope Juliet’s insights on soil and gardens leave you feeling as inspired and uplifted as they’ve left me.
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