Welcome — I’m so glad you’ve found your way to The Art of Growing.
This page is your gentle starting point. Whether you’re here to grow your first herb, learn an old skill, or simply make modern life feel a little slower and more intentional, you’re in the right place.
Who am I?
Hi, I’m Monique — the hands, heart, and slightly chaotic brain behind The Art of Growing. I’m a mum, partner, homemaker, and small‑space homesteader learning (and re‑learning) the old skills that make life feel grounded again.
I grew up in the red dirt of north Western Australia, surrounded by dogs, chickens, siblings, and a mum who could grow absolutely anything. She taught me how to garden, cook, sew, and make things with my hands — skills I didn’t realise would become the backbone of my adult life.
Today I live in suburban Perth on a regular‑sized block, showing what’s possible when you grow just one thing, cook from scratch, and make your home a little more self‑sufficient — without perfection, overwhelm, or needing acres of land.
What You’ll Find Here
I created the Art of Growing as a home for:
- simple gardening for beginners
- small‑space food growing
- low‑tox, old‑school skills
- from‑scratch cooking
- realistic homemaking for real families
I’m not here to be the expert — I’m here to show the real, imperfect, everyday version of learning these skills alongside my daughter, and hopefully inspire you to try one small thing too.
Your First Step: Grow One Thing
Most people feel overwhelmed because they think food independence means doing everything at once. It doesn’t.
As I share in my free guide, Grow One Thing First, food independence begins with one simple win:
“If you can grow one thing … and cook one meal from scratch … you are already more resilient than most.”
This guide walks you through:
- choosing one beginner‑friendly plant
- setting it up simply (no overthinking, no fancy gear)
- keeping it alive for 30 days
- using your harvest in one real meal
It’s practical, gentle, and designed for real life — especially if you’re busy, tired, or starting from scratch.
You can download it for free and begin today 👇🏼
Why Start Small?
Because small wins build confidence.
As the guide says:
“This guide is not about doing everything. It’s about doing the next right thing.”
When you grow one thing well, you learn:
- how plants behave
- how much light you actually have
- how often you realistically water
- how to notice growth, change, and progress
And once you’ve done it once, you can do it again.
Where to Go Next?
After you’ve grown your first plant and cooked your first meal, you can explore:
- expanding to a second or third plant
- building simple seasonal rhythms
- learning old skills like fermenting, sewing, or scratch cooking
- making your home more self‑sufficient in small, doable ways
Everything here is designed to help you build independence slowly, properly, and without burnout.
Come Grow With Me
If you love practical tips, honest progress, and a slower way of living that fits into modern life, you’re in the right place.
Start with one plant. Cook one meal. Build from there.
Welcome to The Art of Growing.
