Homeless Man – ‘Gardening Saved My Life’

For some, gardening offers peace and tranquillity or a little space of their own – but for others, it has helped turn their life around, reports Suffolk News.

Ross Lee had a troubled childhood. He found himself ‘lashing out’ and behaving badly as a youngster after his parents split up, and after he left school at 16, he found himself homeless.

For 10 years, he floated between hostels and the streets, until he came under the wing of a charity in Stowmarket. The charity helped him get back on his feet, offered work experience and allowed him to pass his functional skills in Maths and English. After a few years, it helped him secure his own home, where he discovered his life’s passion.

Now 32, Ross’ garden at his home in Gislingham, near Eye – where he has lived since 2016 – is world famous and has become his main escape from his past. Ross said: “Gardening really did save my life, and it’s amazing that I get to share it with other people. Being homeless was horrible, and it’s something I never want to experience again. It was not a nice experience, but I feel it did make me stronger.”

“When I moved into the house, I had a swimming pool which killed the lawn beneath it. After I had it removed, all the grass was gone. My mum suggested I grow plants. I knew nothing about plants, so I bought a little rose box from a pound shop. Ten months later the garden was in full bloom.”

He added: “Since then, I’ve opened my garden with the National Garden Scheme. And for the past year, it’s been my job to help other people design their gardens, and discover the joy I feel.”

Ross said he grew attached to gardening as it offered him his own space. He always liked interior design, and this allowed him to design something for himself. Before this, he ‘never had [his] own house, let alone a garden’ – but having his own little space allowed him to discover his passion.

After getting the gardening bug, he began attending car boot sales to get deals, and his garden grew. The hobby also gave him something to learn on a daily basis, he noted.