I loved Why Women Grow, although it did take me a little while to fully get into it. Once I did, I found it to be a thoughtful and deeply resonant read, connecting with me on both a personal and professional level.

On a personal level, the book echoed my own love of pottering in the garden and spending time outdoors. Vincent explores so clearly how being in nature and tending to plants can support our mental health. It got me thinking about how gardening is not just about nurturing the soil, but about nurturing ourselves too — watching the garden grow alongside our own sense of wellbeing.

Professionally, this book really struck a chord. I have seen first-hand how wellbeing activities and peer support can make a real difference, and Why Women Grow brings this to life through stories of community gardens in a wide range of settings — from prisons to community centres. Across all these spaces, women are brought together through gardening, caring for what they grow, building connection, and finding strength in shared purpose.

The phrase on the front cover, “Stories of soil, sisterhood and survival,” perfectly captures the heart of this book. That is exactly what it delivers. If you love reading about women supporting women, or if gardening brings you peace and perspective, this book is very much one to add to your list.