The Work of Gardening — and the Power it Gives Back

You don’t always need to go far to feel connected to the outdoors. 

For some of us at Swanson Russell, it’s as simple as stepping into the backyard. And while gardening may not feel extreme, its benefits can be. The time, attention and willingness to get your hands dirty is a commitment — but in return, it offers space to slow down and see progress in a whole new way.

Experience Strategist Libby Heumiller knows that firsthand. What started with a few balcony planters has grown into a backyard full of flowers, lavender and lessons she brings into her work — not just with green industry clients, but even with brands you wouldn’t expect. In this Outdoor Passion Profile, Libby shares how gardening has helped shape her perspective and how it continues to remind her that growth, in any form, takes time. 

SR: What kind of work have you done with outdoor-related brands?

LH: I’ve worked on several green industry clients like Rain Bird and Profile and on the agribusiness side with Central Valley Ag and Hoegemeyer.

One of my favorite accounts, though, is Nebraska Game and Parks. After doing some audience research, we learned that choosing a state park to visit can feel overwhelming. So we set out to make Nebraska Game and Parks feel more like a “friend that goes with you” by creating a digital tool to help people decide what to explore. You can enter your zip code or let the site use your location, then answer a few questions about how far you’re willing to travel and what kinds of activities you’re interested in. The tool makes personalized park recommendations — and even integrates permit purchases — so everything’s in one place.

SR: How did you get into gardening?

LH: I always helped my mom with gardening as a kid — especially her annual pots and baskets around the house. I had my own set of gloves and a little hand shovel. I remember the tree in our front yard — my mom let me pick out the flowers that would go around it each year, and I was always drawn to little snapdragons.

Growing up, my grandpa also had a tomato farm in Indiana, and we’d visit from time to time. So gardening has always been part of my life to an extent, but now that I own a house, it’s become a real passion. 

SR: Tell us more about your garden at home.

LH: When we moved in, the exterior of our house needed some help after construction. That first spring, we just let things bloom to see what we were working with — which turned out to be mostly weeds.

Over the years, we’ve added flower beds and planted a lot of perennials. We also planted a lilac bush, thinking it would take forever to mature. Now it’s four or five feet in diameter — just massive. This past year, we dug up and moved a bunch of hostas from a full-sun spot along the driveway and replanted them in shady areas around the house.

That left us with a big, 30-foot-long flower bed that’s about two feet wide. Like my mom and grandpa, I’ve had luck with zinnias before, so I picked up three seed packets and sprinkled them in. Long story short, I ended up with an enormous number of flowers — so many that I started bringing cut flowers into the office just to give them away.

SR: What are your favorite things to grow?  

LH: I have a soft spot for lavender. My brother had a tattoo of a lavender sprig on his arm, and he passed away a few years ago. Now, I have a similar tattoo on my arm — it’s a constant and beautiful reminder of him.

So, we decided to plant lavender last year. It’s incredibly fragrant — when you water or cut it, the scent really comes alive. Sometimes you’ll just be in the yard, catch a breeze, and suddenly you can smell it from the backyard.

I’ve taken my lavender gardening to the extreme and learned how to preserve it. We have dried bouquets around the house, and I’ve also fermented some in olive oil. I can use that lavender oil to make candles, lip balm, a face mask and more. 

SR: What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of gardening?

LH: I think it’s accepting the things outside your control — that’s another life lesson as well. If I recently planted new seeds and it gets windy, it’s going to blow seeds all over the place. Or if a thunderstorm washes away seeds or a hailstorm damages my plants. There are so many things that can happen, and I’ve grown to deal with that. I still let myself get bummed out when it happens, but I try to figure out a way to fix it or just let it go.

I’ve put literal blood, sweat and tears into my backyard, but then I get to see the results of all that effort. I can pull bouquets of flowers and share them with friends and family. Whatever I’ve been tending all summer, it feels good to step back and say: I did this. I grew this. I took care of it — and now I get to enjoy it.

SR: What lessons have carried over to work and life?

LH: Seeds don’t grow in a day — at least not in a way you can see. But by the end of summer, it’s wild to look back and see how far your plants have come. You start with tiny seeds and end up with something three and a half feet tall.

I think patience and perspective are the biggest things I’ve learned — in gardening and in life. Everything starts small and grows slowly, but when you take a step back, you realize just how far you’ve come.

SR: What advice would you give to someone wanting to try gardening for the first time?

LH: Don’t feel like you need to start big. My garden started at my apartment — I had a balcony and just started with two little hanging baskets. Just start. You don’t need to know what you’re doing or do anything big or grand. Last year, I planted $5 worth of seeds in an open plot by my driveway — now I have a garden that gives back in so many ways.