Root & Bramble didn’t begin in a sprawling backyard or a perfectly manicured greenhouse. It started on a covered apartment balcony with very little sunlight, in the spring of 2022.
Determined to grow something beautiful in even the smallest of spaces, we started experimenting—slowly, and with a lot of trial and error. There were more than a few failed attempts at growing herbs and vegetables, several failed container planting setups, and more than one plant that just didn’t make it. But between all the weekend trips to garden stores and the many bags of soil dragged up a flight of stairs to the second floor, something clicked. We fell in love with the process: the mess, the problem-solving, and the rare moments when things actually worked.
The following summer, we decided we wanted a challenge. Growing a vining plant in the squash family on a covered balcony with little sunlight and little space seemed like an impossible feat, but we were determined to make it happen. We scooped the seeds out of a grocery store butternut squash and stuck them in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel, then taped it to the apartment window. Days went by. Then weeks. Eventually, the seeds sprouted!
The seeds became plants, the plants became sprawling vines, and before we knew it, small buds popped up. Eventually, flowers opened, and then…closed. We experienced a deep disappointment when a squash didn’t grow, and each day that passed without a squash developing on the vine felt like a day lost. We changed the watering schedule, we tried hand-pollinating the flowers (don’t ask), we did everything short of whispering sweet nothings to it. Then…finally…a flower opened, and out came a tiny squash!
Watching the little squash develop against all odds was a sweet victory. It was then that our passion for gardening was solidified, and we thought back to how discouraged we were when the process began. We yearned for acreage and space, but all we needed was some determination, a little luck, and a willingness to try everything to make our setup work.
Root & Bramble grew from that same spirit: experimenting wildly, learning as you go, and celebrating the wins, even when they’re small. Our mission is to make gardening accessible to everyone, from novice gardeners to experts, and to inspire creativity and joy in the process.
Welcome, fellow gardener. We’re so glad you’re here!
Warmly,
R&B
