Making the most of space created a sanctuary, meant we could leave the parks and shorelines to those who needed it during lockdown – and even saved me money on lettuces
I was sent home just before the official start of lockdown, and then put on furlough from mid-April to mid-July. In my job at an art gallery in Liverpool I meet hundreds of people every day, so suddenly being at home all day, every day, was a huge change. I found it very upsetting at first. But as time went on I rediscovered how much I love where I live. It’s a small terrace house with a small back yard in Wavertree – my partner, Ann, and I call it the “Yarden” – and while I’ve always worked to make it look good and have colourful planting out there, this spring it became my haven.
I’ve had loads more time to take cuttings and grow stuff from seed. I planted food – lettuce, spinach, basil – and loads and loads of flowers. The flowers are the thing that has given me the most pleasure; photographing them, watching insects land on them, listening to birdsong and being able to be out there at a time I would normally be at work.
