Seedling & Stem

A little about me and Seedling & StemI’m Shobna, a former social worker turned cut flower grower and floral artisan based in Watford, Hertfordshire.Before starting Seedling & Stem in 2023, I spent many years working as a social worker, supporting children with special needs. Although I loved my work, it was during the Covid years, a difficult and uncertain time for so many of us, that I found myself turning to nature for comfort. Growing flowers from a packet of seed that someone gave me was something positive to focus on. Watching tiny seeds grow into beautiful flowers helped me slow down, reconnect with nature and find a sense of peace and solace when I needed it most. In many ways, it helped me heal, and it was the beginning of a journey I could never have imagined.What started as a small hobby in my back garden gradually grew into something much bigger, and in 2023 I took the leap and started Seedling & Stem. Today, I grow seasonal British cut flowers and foliage in my little garden patch, making the most of what each season brings.Sustainability is at the heart of what I do. I grow without pesticides or herbicides, use peat-free compost and work with nature as much as possible, encouraging healthy soil and biodiversity. I’m passionate about showing that flowers can be beautiful without coming at a cost to the environment, and I love working with natural materials, whether growing fresh flowers, creating floral arrangements or making things with pressed and dried flowers.Why I love teaching workshopsFor me, workshops are about so much more than making something beautiful to take home. Having experienced first-hand how growing and working with flowers can bring calm, joy and a sense of wellbeing, I want to share that feeling with others.There is something quite special about slowing down, putting your phone aside and spending a couple of hours doing something creative with your hands. You don't need to be particularly artistic or have any experience; I want everyone to feel welcome, relaxed and able to enjoy the process, rather than worry about getting everything perfect.I’ve had the pleasure of teaching many workshops, and one of the things I enjoy most is seeing people come in, often not knowing what to expect, and gradually relax into the experience. It’s lovely watching people share ideas, chat, laugh and make connections. Sometimes, you see the beginnings of a new friendship, which is a wonderful thing.Growing flowers and running a small business can be quite an independent and sometimes isolating way of working, so my workshops are also a chance for me to meet lovely people who share an interest in nature, flowers and creativity. I genuinely enjoy getting to know everyone who comes along, and it makes me happy to see people leave with something they’ve made themselves and, hopefully, a little more relaxed than when they arrived.My hope is that everyone who joins one of my workshops takes away more than just their finished creation. Perhaps it's a little moment of calm in a busy life, the confidence to try something new, or simply the pleasure of spending time with others and doing something just for themselves.