“It’s Not Just About Gardens – It’s About People”

When I first started imagining Growzie, I thought I was building something for gardeners.

I pictured people swapping tomatoes, trading seeds, sharing tips on compost or raised beds. Over time, as Growzie slowly came into focus, I began to see it clearly: this isn’t just about food. It’s about people.

One neighbor offered marketing ideas.
Another said, “I have no garden — but I’d love to help.”
A few forwarded the note to friends, mentors, and family members who might be interested.
Several just wrote to say, “This is beautiful. I believe in this.”

Not everyone had a backyard.
Not everyone had tech skills or connections.
But nearly everyone had a desire to be part of something meaningful — something human.

That’s when it hit me:
Growzie isn’t a garden app. It’s a relationship app — disguised as a garden.

It’s a way to restore what we’ve slowly lost:

• A sense of local connection

• Face-to-face exchanges

• Quiet generosity

• Knowing your neighbors’ names (and what’s growing in their yard)

Some of the most moving replies I’ve received weren’t from gardeners at all — they were from people who simply wanted to belong to something like this.

One person said:

“I live in a townhouse with no yard, but I’d still love to be part of this. Can I?”

Another wrote:

“I don’t have much to grow, but I can offer encouragement, ideas, and maybe a few recipes.”

And that’s the heart of it.
You don’t need a green thumb — just a generous heart.

So as Growzie evolves, I’m keeping this front and center:
It’s not about perfect produce or Instagram gardens. It’s about creating little spaces where people feel seen, connected, and inspired.

Thanks to all of you who’ve reached out — not just with help, but with heart. You’ve reminded me (again) that community is the most fertile ground we have.

And that’s something worth growing.

—Mark