Together with Ferm Living, we met fashion designer Stina Hasan in her green city garden. Originally from Sweden, she has created an urban oasis in the small garden of her family home in the borough of Hackney.
For Stina, East London in the UK isn't just a place to live – it's an intense experience. Her home is surrounded by shops, cafés and the wide green spaces of Victoria Park and the Olympic Park, and she loves this dynamic mix of city life and nature.
By day, Stina works as a fashion designer, but in the evenings and at weekends she tends her garden and shares her passion for gardening online as The Hackney Gardener. She had always been interested in gardening, but only really became aware of it once she had a small garden of her own.
Her mother and grandmother were green-fingered matriarchs who loved nurturing plants. Stina remembers frequent conversations about flowers and greenery, and being surrounded by nature as a child. In those moments, she discovered a sense of joy and enthusiasm that would stay with her over the years.
Hectic city life, however, led her away from gardening, and for a while other interests took centre stage. But life has a way of returning to its roots. When Stina had a small plot where she could grow things, she realised how much she loved it. In the heart of the concrete jungle, she rediscovered her love of gardening.
In her small city garden, Stina finds respite from the demands of everyday life. Her favourite spot is in the middle of the rose garden, especially on a sunny summer morning when she opens the back door and is greeted by the heady scent of flowers in bloom.
There's always plenty to do, but she wants it to be a place to relax and makes sure gardening never becomes a chore. She follows her instincts as she wanders through the abundance of perennials – nothing fancy or exotic – doing little jobs here and there among the hardy geraniums, catmint and lady's mantle that surround her beloved roses.
Standing among the greenery and watching the seasons change, Stina notices subtle signs of life even in the depths of winter.
Her advice for budding city gardeners is as simple as her garden itself: just try different things and don't be put off by excessive advice or outdated rules. Gardening is about the process, so simply enjoy it and watch how things unfold.
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Thank you so much, Stina, for this fascinating insight into your green urban oasis.
