A Brush Became a Spade - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fa-brush-became-a-spade) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fa-brush-became-a-spade) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/2f3526c2-9009-443c-9ad3-fded194f858e/conversions/PXL_20260617_161115130.MP-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ BBC Gardeners' World Live 2026 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/bbc-gardeners-world-live-2026) Beautiful Borders ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-gold/icon.webp) Gold Award A Brush Became a Spade ======================== Designed by Tom Brett At a glance Show BBC Gardeners' World Live Year 2026 Category Beautiful Borders Border Photo: GardensDB About this garden The story ----------- Once upon a time, I worked as a painter and decorator. After years in that trade, I reached a point of self-doubt and change, and decided to retrain as a gardener. This border tells that personal story - the uncertainty of starting again, the learning process, and the confidence that has grown from it. The left-hand side reflects that earlier chapter, with softer, slightly unsettled planting and familiar tools from my previous career, suggesting a period of questioning and transition. A curved path leads through the border, symbolising movement and progress, guiding visitors beneath an arch as the story unfolds. As the path continues, the planting becomes bolder and more assured, developing into a prairie-inspired scheme filled with movement, colour and structure. This final section represents confidence, purpose and the establishment of my own gardening business. The border celebrates change, growth and the courage to begin again. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-gold/icon.webp) Gold Award BBC Gardeners World Live The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ TB Tom Brett Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/tom-brett) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/2f3526c2-9009-443c-9ad3-fded194f858e/conversions/PXL_20260617_161115130.MP-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7490e00a-72f9-45e2-ae12-ff9aca91eddc/conversions/PXL_20260617_161125681-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/0533efea-f678-41dc-b1c6-6626ca18b2d2/conversions/PXL_20260617_161122845.MP-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/1c97e9b8-a53b-46b2-bf63-3c58817ef30c/conversions/PXL_20260617_161148945.MP-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/53e97321-efca-4782-a813-6fd222f2e63c/conversions/PXL_20260617_161204549-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/35be1aab-2de4-4937-8424-b538fffe788c/conversions/PXL_20260617_161214843-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/b6b740a4-4810-47cb-afe4-594a446c4cf9/conversions/PXL_20260617_161231923-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/be4d6101-e5ec-466f-8d44-966b4f7d8c51/conversions/PXL_20260617_161046836.MP-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f3c094cb-62c3-4b5d-9df1-5ff095d2b23e/conversions/image-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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