From The Crooked House to New Chapters: A Summer Tradition in Bloom
- The Gardening Team
- 59 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Every summer since we first held a copy of You Are a Gardener® in our hands, we’ve made it a family tradition to take a photo in front of The Crooked House—Fred Rogers’ beloved Nantucket cottage. Year after year, Gardener Anna and Gardener Aidan have stood proudly outside that charming, weathered home, and each photo marks more than just another trip to the island—it’s a moment to pause and reflect on how far we’ve all come.
This year’s photo felt especially meaningful.
With Aidan graduating this year and both gardeners now in high school together in the fall, it feels like we’re stepping into a brand-new season—not just as a family, but as a movement. The Crooked House has become more than just a backdrop; it’s become a symbol of gentle strength, emotional depth, and the power of truly seeing children—qualities that Fred Rogers embodied and that we strive to bring to every page, post, and assembly through You Are a Gardener®.
Fred Rogers remains a powerful role model for us. His ability to dig into the emotional world of children with such tenderness, safety, and hope is something we deeply admire and feel deeply connected to. In many ways, You Are a Gardener® is rooted in that same soil—the belief that emotions are not something to hide, but something to nurture with care, creativity, and compassion.
As we snapped this year’s photo, it was impossible not to feel the shift—a turning of the page, a new chapter unfolding. And we’re not just talking about the seasons changing or our children growing older (though that’s certainly happening fast!). You Are a Gardener® is blooming in new directions too.
“From little gardeners to high schoolers—our annual Crooked House photo reminds us just how much can grow in one garden.”
We’ve been quietly planting the seeds for something exciting—something we can't wait to share. A new book is in the works, one that continues our mission of helping gardeners of all ages stay rooted in confidence, creativity, and calm...but with a fresh perspective and a deeper dive into what it truly means to live with the Gardener Mindset™.
We’re also evolving as a company—expanding our offerings, deepening our school partnerships, and continuing to cultivate a space where emotional well-being can grow strong and wild, just like a summer garden in full bloom.
This year, The Crooked House reminded us how important it is to look back and see how much we’ve grown—not just in inches or accomplishments, but in heart, in purpose, and in the way we show up for each other.
📚 One Last Stop: A Gardener's Gift in Madaket
Right after we snap our annual photo in front of The Crooked House, there’s one more tradition we never miss—a visit to the Fred Rogers–themed Little Free Library right as you enter Madaket.
It’s been there for years, and every time we stop by, it brings a smile. And yes—we always leave a copy of You Are a Gardener® inside!
It’s our way of saying thanks to Mister Rogers and sprinkling a little extra kindness on the island. Who knows which future gardener might discover it next? Just a fun way to pass it on, plant some new seeds, and keep the tradition growing strong.
Here’s to traditions that root us, role models who inspire us, and all the beautiful new chapters still to come.
Let’s keep growing together, gardeners!