Beyond the Bloom: Life Lessons from the Misadventures of a Beginner Gardener

by Kelly Jackson Crabb

When Kelly Crabb set out to grow a cut flower garden in her suburban backyard, she unearthed something joy, courage, and the sacred magic of starting something before you're ready.

Through stories of growth and grief, hope and surrender, "Beyond the Bloom" invites readers to consider what might happen if they stopped waiting for perfect conditions - and simply said yes to what's tugging at their hearts.

With humor, grit, and a little dirt under her nails, Kelly writes a love letter to big dreamers, late bloomers, and anyone who's ever realized halfway in that maybe they should've read the instructions.

This isn't a how-to, it's a here's-what-happened - and maybe it'll help you, too.

183 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2025

Reviews

[Ronni Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly’s book is modern chicken soup for the gardener’s soul. This is a quick & fun read for anyone looking to find some hope & gentle guidance in taking a chance on themselves in any new endeavor. Kelly’s stories exemplify the human fact that we all grow through what we go through. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about boundary setting & related to much of it. Some of the book I enjoyed most: “We aren’t meant to produce, expand, or be in bloom constantly” and “I know in my bones the real blooming has been in me, not just the flowers.”

[Kelly Bunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tender memoir showcasing the power of persistence, grit, and just going for it. Not to sound cliche, but I laughed and I cried as I made my way through the author’s beautiful story. It’s a little bit about gardening (I learned some things I didn’t know!), but it’s about so much more than that. It’s not often that I annotate my books, but I have so many underlines and places where I wrote “yes!!” in my book to remember for later. This is one to treasure as we all think about how to build a life we love.

[Kiley Salmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly’s book is a breath of fresh air. Reading it brought such peace to my heart and mind as I reveled in the beauty of a story that captures learning, blooming, and growth — all wrapped in hope, courage, and the perseverance it takes to try something new. It deeply encouraged my soul and inspired me to dream about my own life and what I want to plant — metaphorically, of course!

[Christie Dade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Bloom is more than a book about gardening—it’s a meditation on resilience, transformation, and the quiet courage it takes to grow through life’s messiest seasons. What begins as a simple garden experiment blossoms into a profound exploration of change and hope, reminding readers that beauty often emerges from brokenness.

Kelly Jackson Crabb writes with a voice that is both tender and empowering. Her reflections invite us to see failure not as an ending, but as “opportunity showing up in a way you wouldn’t have chosen.” This perspective reframes setbacks as fertile ground for growth—a theme that runs like rich soil through every chapter.

One of the most striking ideas in the book is the belief that “sometimes the most fertile ground is born of broken things.” Crabb doesn’t shy away from life’s heartbreaks and disappointments; instead, she shows how these experiences become compost for what’s next. It’s a hopeful, deeply human message: give it time, and what feels like a mess today may nourish tomorrow’s bloom.

Her words are rooted in optimism: “I hope I’ll always be one who looks at bare dirt and thinks, I bet something beautiful could grow here.” This line captures the essence of the book—a call to see possibility where others see emptiness, to trust that growth is always possible even in seasons of uncertainty.

[Callianne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn’t just about what grows in a garden - it’s really about what grows in you. Kelly blends garden-life with everyday life in such a relatable, sincere way that you can’t help but pause and reflect. Her writing feels like sitting down with a friend who speaks straight to your heart.

I’m someone with a total black thumb, yet this book made me want to slow down, pay attention, and actually get my hands in the dirt. The stories and lessons feel simple, doable, and genuinely encouraging.

If you’re craving a little inspiration, a fresh perspective, or a reminder that small things matter, this is such a beautiful read. I loved every bit of it.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Bloom pulled me in from the very first chapter. I laughed, I cried, and I found myself in so many of the author’s experiences. This memoir takes us through gardening mishaps, unexpected life changes, and moments of deep reflection, Kelly reminds us how growth often comes from the messiest, most unplanned parts of life.

What I loved most is how universal these lessons feel, whether you’re a gardener or not, there is something in this book that speaks to a chapter we’ve all lived through. It’s warm, encouraging, and full of gentle wisdom.

A wonderful debut and a book I’ll be recommending to, and buying for, others.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoire that blends humor and sincerity, comparing a novice gardener's experiences to the journey of life. The book gives lessons in grief, love, hope, and surrender, letting go of the idea that we must be perfectly ready to try new things. This book reminds us to go for it, even when we have no idea what we are doing. I laughed and cried, as the stories resonated with similar experiences in my life, from stepping into parenthood to losing my mother and grandmother. I highlighted quotes to remind myself to plant seeds, and some will bloom!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Bloom truly spoke to me. It’s fun and thought-provoking, but also that much-needed kick in the pants to follow your heart — even when it’s hard. This book reminded me that disappointment and struggle are part of life, but with perseverance and a little stubbornness, joy always finds a way back in. It made me reflect, laugh, and honestly feel seen. A beautiful reminder that growth doesn’t stop when things get tough — sometimes, that’s when it matters most.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Bloom is equal parts, beautiful, storytelling, insightful reflection, delightful, laughter, and hope filled wisdom.

I’m not a gardener, but I can relate so much to her experiences and the wisdom she draws from them.

One of my favorite quotes is “But sometimes the best thing you grow is the thing you never planted - The grace that surprises you. The joy that finds you. The beauty that keeps on multiplying along after your hands, let go”

[Susan Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Bloom is a heartfelt and fun read. Kelly Jackson Crabb writes beautifully about her adventures of becoming a beginner gardener. There are also helpful tips (even though Kelly states this is not a how-to gardening book). But for me, the most meaningful thing Kelly says is: almost everything in life is "figureoutable." I love how she jumps in to an unknown world of flowers, figures it out, and then shares her learning journey with us, the reader.

[Susan Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly has a gift with words, mixing humor, gardening successes and mishaps, life lessons and her faith, all in a beautiful book! It made me laugh out loud at times (and shed a few tears - sorry to the woman next to me on the airplane). No matter your age or what stage of life you are in, Kelly’s book will encourage you to take that first step in trying something new, equipping you with messages of hope, courage and perseverance.

[Melissa Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!! Get yours today!!
The perfect quiet morning pep talk I need to remind me hard seasons are a part of growing!
Kelly does such an amazing job bringing her gardening experiences and real life stories into perspective, plus to show us that some times you just have to go for it and the rest will come.

[Brooke Gallimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Bloom was an absolutely delightful and easy read! The way Kelly connects everyday experiences to greater meaning and perspective, while not overwhelming the reader emotionally is an incredible feat! It proves to be a delicate balance - often not achieved, even by seasoned writers. Hats off to Kelly on her debut book and I can’t wait to read what’s next!

[Theresa Markham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!

I lovvved this book! Easy to read - but heart-touching experiences and lots of highlighted insights. If you’ve grown because of your garden, you will be totally absorbed by this book. If you’ve never gardened, but you’ve noticed life has lots of twists and turns, then you will love “growing” alongside Kelly.

[Lindsay O'Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a warm hug and a gentle nudge to say yes to the things that scare you and light you up! I found this book so relatable, funny, endearing and full of great reminders that we can still grow among the messiness of life. Highly recommend!

[Joyce McLain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know nothing about gardening but still gained so much from the analogies Kelly used between life and the lessons she’s learned from gardening. I took my time reading this so I could really soak in the different lessons in each chapter and am so glad I did!

[Veryaprilkc · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. All heart eyes!!!
Beyond the Bloom—a thoughtful, faith-filled reminder that growth often begins right in the middle of the mess.
It’s part garden story, part courage pep talk, and exactly the kind of read that pairs best with a quiet morning and strong coffee.
It’s a reminder that you can do hard things, grow through them, and still come out blooming. A beautiful read.