Jason Chongue - Green : Plant for Small Spaces, Indoors and Out.

TO MY LOVING PARENTS, CARLOS AND MI SU CHONGUE, WHO TAUGHT ME THE WORLD WAS AT THE TIP OF MY FINGERS, THAT LIFE WAS SHORT AND TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT. IN EVERY JOURNEY THEY HAVE STOOD BEHIND ME, REMINDING ME ABOUT WHO I AM.

Contents

I have always loved having my hands in soil. Gardening comes with a sense of calm and contentment that is hard to find anywhere else. I was lucky enough to grow up with a suburban garden, where my parents and grandparents allowed me to garden for days on end. I learnt organically, building my skill set in how to tend to a wide range of plants both indoors and out.

I was passionate about being a gardener, but I never once thought it could become my career. As children and adolescents, when we are asked what we want to be when we grow up, we tend to aspire to become doctors, lawyers, astronauts or architects, as they are notionally amazing jobs. I guess I chose to become an architect because I loved all things design, and somehow it felt more admirable than becoming a gardener. Now I question why our society undervalues such process-based careers; my evolution from architect and interior designer to plant curator has been one of the most memorable journeys of my life.

When I wrote my first book, Plant Society, I was also working as an interior designer. It was a role I enjoyed, but my partner Nathan and I had launched The Plant Society as a passion project that strove to connect our community of gardeners and promote sharing knowledge between local gardeners and aspiring plant enthusiasts. By the time I finished the book, we had opened our very first store in a warehouse in Collingwood, Melbourne, with the then Mina-no-ie cafe. It was an instant urban oasis that brought plants, design and modern Japanese-inspired cuisine together. Our audience increased, and we were at the tipping point where we could see The Plant Society really becoming something. I decided it was time to give it everything I had, and with the support of those around me I left my stable job to go on this crazy plant journey.

It wasnt always easy there were days when we did not sell a single plant. I would close the store up and, on my way home, ponder how much our city needed more green.

Most of our cities were designed to include parks and greenery, where architecture sat seamlessly amongst towering trees and curated gardens. Weve always found ways to bring green into our busy city lives: entry doors anchored with potted plants and leafy hidden courtyards waiting to be discovered. Such spaces bring people together, inviting comfort, connection and relaxation.

With space at a premium, we prioritise the man-made over nature. Many have forgotten how green brings life to our urban spaces, but we crave it now more than ever. Thats why its important that we attempt to nurture greenery in our homes, retail stores, offices and apartment towers. Imagine it: plants caressing concrete boundaries, and balconies overflowing with ornamental and edible foliage, ushering nature back into our lives. It invites a sense of calm, creating a retreat where we can switch off, drowning out the city noises with the rustling of leaves.

I knew that my community needed more plants; I just wasnt sure how we could motivate people to buy them. But then I remembered a lesson from my gardening past: if things arent going your way, change your tactics.

So we focused our efforts on education, teaching commercial clients and budding plant enthusiasts how to use plants in their spaces. It took a lot of push, but we found our way alongside architects and interior designers, helping to prove that plants could live happily in small urban spaces that they were easy to nurture, and more rewarding than any artificial plant could ever be.

With this book, I want to give you a helpful guide to creating gardens, both indoors and out, that will enrich your home and community. From indoor spaces to courtyards and balconies, this book will take you on a guided journey, providing you with tips and simple steps so you can create your own green oasis.

will help you troubleshoot when things go wrong so that youll have a thriving urban garden in no time.

By approaching gardens in small spaces step by step, you will build up your skills and confidence to approach a range of plant species and natural conditions while understanding how to care for them.

As a child, I challenged myself by growing a range of plants. It taught me that gardening was all about practice and patience. I hope this book motivates you to extend your skills so that you can garden anywhere, experiencing many moments of green.

Indoor plants soften an entry at a blow-dry bar.

A range of plants and handmade planters decorate The Plant Society flagship store.

A narrow front yard is no excuse for a lack of greenery. Try growing climbing plants and compact shrubs.

Just like plants come in an array of shapes and sizes, so too do our surroundings. When we talk about plants in our cities, we need to consider how every space is unique. Our urban spaces, both indoors and out, can influence the plants we grow. From compact plants to ones that scale facades, there will be one thats perfect for your small space.

1 PLAN WELL

When it comes to curating plants in small spaces, it pays to sit down and plan. It might include the style you envisage, how many plants you want to use and where they will go. The key is to give yourself a clear direction when sourcing plants and planters.

2 DONT BE CHARMED BY LOOKS

We all make the mistake of choosing plants purely because of how they look, but its more important to choose them by their lighting needs. Above all else, you want to make sure theyll work in your space.

3 KNOW WHO YOU ARE AS A GARDENER

If youre nervous about gardening, then choose plants that are easy to care for and low maintenance. Start with a handful of plants and slowly build up your garden once you get a handle on how to care for it.

4 FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS

Plants are living things. They require the fundamentals of water, light and nutrition, so keep on top of these so your plants can thrive.

5 TAKE IT SLOW

Theres no rush when it comes to gardening. Dont force instant results. The plant world is on a journey of its own, so make sure to slow down and enjoy the process.

6 CARE FREQUENTLY

Plants dont thrive on neglect. Check in on them regularly: my tip is every week or two. Regular check-ins will help you monitor your plants and catch any problems early.

7 DONT PANIC

When you have plant problems, dont freak out. Try to systematically pinpoint the problem, which will point you to the best solution. Plant diseases take time to resolve. Keep treating until the problem has disappeared.