It starts off small — maybe you just bought a few herbs for the kitchen windowsill or found yourself admiring someone else’s roses.
The next thing you know, you’re comparing compost options and feeling excited about spring. Even if you once claimed gardening wasn’t for you, there’s a moment when you realise… you’ve crossed over. Here are 12 very clear signs you’re officially a garden person now, whether you meant to be or not.
1. You’ve started checking the weather for your plants, not just your plans.
It used to be about deciding whether to bring a jacket. Now it’s more about whether your tomatoes will survive a chilly night or if you need to water before the rain. You know exactly what time the sun hits your patio — and you adjust accordingly. This little change means you’re not just passively enjoying your garden — you’re paying attention. You’ve officially entered the world of plant-related weather anxiety, and weirdly, it feels kind of rewarding.
2. You have opinions about soil.
You may not have known what loam was a year ago, but now you’re adjusting your mix and considering pH levels like it’s second nature. You can spot bad compost by texture alone, and you’ve got at least one bag of something mysterious in the shed. This isn’t just playing in the dirt anymore. You’ve developed an actual relationship with the stuff. And suddenly, soil seems way more fascinating than you ever expected.
3. Garden centres feel like a treat.
There was a time when you thought garden centres were just for pensioners and serious plant people. Now, you look forward to them like they’re your version of a spa day. Walking through the aisles, making mental notes, and maybe buying one more plant than you intended — it’s the highlight of your week.
You might even grab a coffee at the café and browse pots like they’re art. It’s peaceful, it’s productive, and yes — it means you’ve officially become the kind of person who gets excited about compost bins and trellises.
4. Your phone is full of plant photos.
Where once it was selfies and brunch pics, your camera roll is now dominated by close-ups of new leaves, flower buds, and progress shots of your border. You’re documenting growth like it’s a child’s milestone chart. And the best part? You’re genuinely proud of them. Even a tiny sprout or a slightly bigger courgette feels like a win — and you have no problem showing your friends, whether they asked or not.
5. You know your neighbours through plant swaps.
That person over the fence who used to just be “the one with the loud dog” is now your go-to for spare seedlings. You’ve shared cuttings, traded seeds, and maybe even borrowed a trowel or two. Gardening somehow builds community in a way nothing else does. You might not have known their name last summer, but now you’re texting them updates about your sweet peas like it’s a shared project.
6. You plan your weekends around garden jobs.
Gone are the days of sleeping in and seeing what the day brings. Now you’re up early on Saturday, deciding whether to tackle weeding, prune the roses, or repot the struggling mint plant. Your weekend to-do list has suddenly started including “deadhead lavender” and “top up mulch.” And the weirdest part? You enjoy it. There’s a satisfaction in ticking off garden tasks that makes you feel like you’ve actually done something — even if no one else notices but you and the bees.
7. You’ve had a full conversation about slugs.
Not just a passing complaint — a full, detailed exchange about their habits, defences, and the ethics of various control methods. You know which plants they love, when they’re most active, and which tricks (mostly) work. Once you’ve spoken seriously about copper tape and nematodes, you’ve entered deep garden territory. And the best part? You now have strong slug opinions and no shame in sharing them.
8. You feel oddly proud of your compost bin.
Source: Unsplash It started as a way to reduce food waste, but now it’s a full-blown fascination. You’ve learned what makes it smell weird, how to balance green and brown waste, and why the worms are your unsung heroes. There’s a quiet joy in watching scraps turn into usable soil. You’ve joined the ranks of people who say things like, “My compost’s really coming along” — and you mean it sincerely.
9. You’ve caught yourself talking to your plants.
You’re out there checking the leaves, encouraging buds to bloom, and maybe whispering an apology when you forget to water something. You know they don’t talk back — but they do respond, in their own way. It’s not weird anymore. It’s just part of the rhythm. Talking to your plants isn’t about being eccentric — it’s about being invested. And honestly, it’s kind of soothing.
10. You plan holidays around someone watering for you.
Booking time away now includes making sure someone can swing by and check on the garden. Whether it’s a neighbour or a friend with a detailed list, you’ve realised that leaving your plants alone for a week isn’t as simple as it used to be. That small change — from carefree travel to coordinated watering schedules — is a sure sign you’ve crossed into gardener territory. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.
11. You get emotional about bees and butterflies.
Spotting pollinators in your garden used to feel nice. Now it feels personal. You planted that lavender for them. You chose those blooms to invite them in. Seeing a bee on your flowers feels like a thank-you note from nature. You start noticing the rhythms of their visits and even make planting decisions based on what might help them out. And suddenly, the garden isn’t just yours — it’s part of something bigger.
12. You catch yourself thinking about next season already.
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is — your brain is already jumping ahead. You’re thinking about what to plant next, which flowers to move, and whether that corner would suit a new raised bed. You’ve officially joined the gardeners who live half in the present and half in the future. Because in gardening, there’s always something coming — and now, you’re quietly looking forward to it.
