About Me

Never accept the negative until you have thoroughly explored the positive – ( Paul S.McElroy)

My name is Sophie Cussen.  Just an average gal living in suburbia…but…

I’m on mission, called the Forget-me-Not Cultivation Blog, to bring all the things I already love to do and would love the chance to do, together in one list, and push the limits on what can be achieved in life.

A bit about me:

During the day I’m an NHS intelligence analyst, a job I thoroughly enjoy and sits perfectly with my introverted personality (this doesn’t mean I’m shy, just that I get caught up in reflection and quietness a lot).  I have serious techy habits and prefer to stick to Open Source, non commercialised areas but give me a spreadsheet and some data and I’ll be all over it.

I’ve got a wonderful partner, who puts up with my constant ideas and changing plans, and is often referred to as ‘The Boss’, so you get the idea on that one.

No couple is complete without a pet.  Ours is a rescued Jack Russell called Mouse who could actually be called ‘The Boss’ as well.  However she is an adorable bundle of fun and makes me smile a lot.

As a kid I began gardening with nasturtiums and runner beans with my love of being outside, digging and planting just ‘growing’ year on year.  Gardening is my numero uno favourite occupation.  It combines my love of outdoors, animals and plants all in one go and if you ever wonder where I am, you’ll usually find me out there pottering.  My great enthusiasm for the outdoors doesn’t just stop at gardening, I am a huge believer in sustainability and making a real difference to the fragile world we live in by supporting as many green ideas as possible inc. recycling, frugality and alternative energy sources.

Why I created this blog…

Well, I want to share my gardening and creative experiences with an audience.  It’s not always easy growing vegetables, or any plants for that matter, with the space you’ve got but I want to prove that space should never be an issue when it comes to creating a great place outside that you want to call your own, (or your families).  It never has to be tidy (if you don’t want), and it should never be expensive.  It should never be fancy (unless you like that) and it should never, EVER be too difficult to create nor maintain.

Also, it seems to me if I’m ever going to push myself to tick off some of these things on my life ticket then I need to step up to the line which is always a bit more meaningful if I can share those experiences via a blog.

My final solid reason for the blog is that I crave creativity and this space is a great place to showcase my ideas and works, of writing, photography and possibly even maybe a video or two (but don’t quote me).

So on Forget-me-Not Cultivation blog you’ll find me discussing areas I’m passionate about (and not so passionate about), updates on areas from my list, and a personal challenge to get more people growing their own veggies.

Contact me:

I’d really like to hear from you!

If you want to grow something then I’ll be here to help and if there is ever a question you want to ask about gardening, plants, trees or growing food then just ask.  I’d be pleased to answer it.

And if you just fancy a chat then that’s great too.

PS – If you’ve read this far, then I thank you very much.  Its always nice to get readers, where ever you may be.  All comments and suggestions gratefully received.

83 responses to “About Me”

    • Many thanks to you for stopping by. Layers in gardening is something I’m learning all about as I’m trying to create a prairie area in my front garden at the moment. I’ll know where to come now for advice 🙂

  7. Hi Sophie, Many thanks for taking the trouble to read and follow my blog – I appreciate it! I look forward to following your own progress…

  8. I think…your blog is wonderful, cheerful, friendly, interesting, creative and beneficial to all those who would love to do sustainability or grow veggies but don’t have a clue. I love forget-me-nots – have some fun photos of my dog sitting amongst some 🙂 Thanks for following my blog. I’m delighted to follow yours! I love the description of your little family, and also ladybugs!

    • Thank you very much. I am really pleased to hear you like the blog. It’s always great to see new readers on here – especially ones with such positive words to say 🙂

  10. Thanks so much, Sophie, for liking my post today, and for following my blog, Tide Line Still Life. My second love, after the sea, is my garden. So I will be following your site with delight! Enjoy this week. Best, Maggie

  12. Good for you Sophie! I’ve always loved planting and growing things and after nearly 20 years of putting up with me my wife appears to have finally been bitten by the bug 🙂 Looking forward to updates from your blog.

  13. Pingback: Writer vs. Published Author | The Good, Bad and Ludicrous·

  14. Hi Sophie! I discovered your blog earlier on today when I was looking in Pianolearner’s blog. I’m awful at gardening and battling to improve, so I’ll be looking here for tips. I can’t believe it, one of my plants that I just can’t figure out is the chilli plant. So it looks like I’ve found the right person. xx

      • I definitely will. Sorry may I start? When is the season for chillis? I got my plant in autumn when it had fruit and I’m hoping that now in summer it will flower and give chillies again….

      • If it survived the winter then the plant should be looking quite green now and be producing flowers round about now. Depending on the variety most chilli plants can be treated like annuals, in that you only grow the plant for one year and ditch it after it finishes producing the pods. However some varieties can be kept warm over winter and will start flowering again from May onwards and start producing chillies from June to Nov. (depending on where the plant lives/potted etc). Of course, I am presuming you live in the Northern hemisphere, let me know if not 😉

      • Luckily it never ceased to look very green 🙂 and now has only a couple of little purple flowers. I do live in the northern hemisphere, in Spain.

  15. lovely to meet you sophie … thanks for popping across to my blog! we are full-on growers too, and composters etc … you can check out the Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Eurobodalla web page for a positive experience … and aren’t growers great people? Here we are in winter, but are growing most of your summer vegies, we have it easy over here 🙂

    • Great to meet you too. Thanks for taking the time to peruse my blog. You do have it easy – it’s going to be another hard(ish) year for growing but the challenge is always worth it, and no two yrs are ever alike. I’ll check out this web page you mentioned too.

  16. Hi Sophie,

    Thanks for following my blog. I’m about to go back in my garden. I wish the weeds and the lawn would stop growing for a bit! I’ve got half way across the lawn with hover mower, I’ll have a go at doing some more. I have runner beans to plant so have to get on with it! 🙂

  19. Our dog and cat are the bosses in our household. We have a Boston Terrier. Don’t you just love terriers. So smart and so much personality.

    • Yes, I really liked your blog. There is so much to write about when it comes to gardening which is why I thought I’d share some of my thoughts and experiences on mine. Thanks for popping over to take a look 🙂

    • Oh thank you. Yes I started blogging weekly but quickly changed it to bi-weekly as I enjoy writing the blog so much. It just takes some organisation and time set aside every week that would other wise be spent watching TV or messing about on my smart phone 😉
      Just blog when you can, it’s the reasons behind why you blog rather than how often which is the important part 🙂

  23. Hey there (:
    Thanks for stopping by our blog!
    It’s a pleasure to read your posts. There’s so much interesting we can learn from you! We don’t have a garden, but this year was our first attempt to set up a “balcony” version of a garden with just leafy greens. We hope to expand though..(:
    Happy Blogging,
    S & H

    • Great to have a new reader too, welcome to my blog. I like balcony gardens which is why I’m very interested in your blog, you’re doing wonders! Let me know if there is anything I can help with. Enjoy your weekend.

    • Thank you for stopping by my blog too. We certainly do have a lot in common and I was chuffed to come across your blog, I shall look forward to reading future posts. 🙂

  27. thanks for following me over at thefamilyclass.com, Sophie! Im so jealous of your gardening posts, I’d love to have a garden! In the mean time, I’ll look forward to your posts about gardening 🙂

  29. Thank you for the follow of our blog about our upcoming trip to Nepal. You inspire me with all the good things you’ve got going on…glad we connected!

  30. How nice Sophie 🙂 ….and you’ve shamed me into finally updating my blog, now that my life is back on track,which I hope to do over the weekend, so thank you 🙂

  32. Hey Sophie, Idk if you answered this anywhere, but I was wondering where you live and if you live in America, what zone you live in. I noticed you used pounds to describe cost, but don’t use a u in words like color and favorite, so I can’t figure it out. I’m just wondering because I live in New Jersey and there’s not much alive outside, and it looks like you have warmer weather than me =)

    • Hello there, thanks for stopping by. No I’m based in the UK (North East Lincolnshire), on the north(ish) east side of England. I usually change all words requiring the letter U as WordPress automatically marks it out as a spelling mistake but I must have missed some.
      I reckon if you live in New Jersey we’ll have pretty much the same weather to be honest. It’s not very warm at the moment, that’s for sure! What’s it like over there, any snow yet?

      • Ah, no it doesn’t look like you missed any. We’re having a warm spell at the moment, but we’ll be back in the 30’s in a few days (about 0 for Celcius). Right now, it’s just cloudy and drizzly =(

  33. Hi Sophie,
    I look forward to reading more about your gardening tips and techniques. I’m in Colorado where it’s very dry and sunny. It’s a big deal when the humidity hits 20% around here. Good stuff!

    • Hi there, thanks for stopping by the blog – always nice to see new readers. Apologies for my delay – I’ve just got back from NYC where is was very cold! I imagine it’s even colder over in Colorado? So not much growing at the moment eh?
      Hope you enjoy the blog and if you’ve ever get any question please don’t hesitate to contact me. Hopefully we can share ‘growing’ stories 🙂

  34. I agree, both growing and trying to live more sustainably can both sometimes be a bit of a solitary business and sharing ideas and support like this is a wonderful way to learn more and encourage each other. I love your enthusiasm and willingness to support others! Am off to follow your blog.

    • Thank you very much for your comment. So pleased to have a new reader. 😛
      I passionately believe this is the way to grow food and gain a greater appreciation if land & nature.
      Im very interested in permaculture so will be heading over to your blog to pick up some tips!
      Have a great weekend.

  36. Hello newest Spikey! I know, a bit corny, eh, but that’s the term that has come to stick for those folk who are part of the clan known to be followers of Uncle Spike 🙂

    Thank you… I really appreciate that as I for one, know how many interesting and entertaining blogs are out there.

    My aim is to deliver an eclectic offering of posts, from my ‘point n shoot’ attempts at basic photography, to the sharing of my travel adventures over the decades, as well as day to day happenings here on the farm. Oh, plus a few observations on life as I see it, thrown in for good measure.

    My promise to you is not to be overbearing, just a couple of posts a day, maybe 3 at weekends if I have something special to share. But if you are at a loose end one day, maybe you’ll enjoy trawling through some of my older stuff too. I have added plenty of categories to help in said digging process.

    Thanks again and hope you have a great day…

    UNCLE SPIKE

    • Thank you for stopping by the blog. Nice to have a new reader. I spotted your blog because you wrote about respecting food, and making the best you can with the ingredients you’ve got (can afford). Something we can all take heed to.

  38. Hi Sophie
    Thanks for following my blog. I am not much of a gardner I’m afraid but you have inspired me to try and grow chilli! Let the adventure begin ……………..

    • Welcome, and thank you for following mine. 🙂
      I saw your blog was about a “Jack”. I have one also, a JRT called Mouse. They are such wonderful dogs. She keeps me very busy!
      Great news about growing chillies, would love to hear how you get on growing them.

  39. Hi Sophie (my 2-year-old granddaughter’s name by the by), thanks for dropping by my blog The Call of the Pen and deciding to follow. After three days without internet (and another 2 days this week) I’m finally catching up on my WordPress emails. I’m down from 162 emails to 58 :-/ I’m going to go exploring your blog in the next day or so. We used to have a Jack Russell, but sadly she passed away a few years ago. They’re smart, sweet and very, very friendly 🙂

  41. Hi Sophie! This is my first visit to your blog. I’m enjoying looking around. Wishing you sunny days in your garden!

    • Thank you very much. It’s lovely to receive a new visitor. If you can’t find anything or are after any specific cultivation guidance just get in touch 🙂

  42. Hi Sophie,
    Thanks for the follow!
    Your blog is interesting; I enjoyed reading your posts.
    🙂 ~ ellen

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