Let's Meet Sandy Devaney

I’m so pleased to introduce this month’s feature an incredible creative, entrepreneur and friend Sandy Devaney.

Sandy I’m so happy you could take the time to pop by the Chalet and chat with me. Hi Meryl! Thank you so much for reaching out to share a bit about The Collected Garden. My name is Sandy Devaney and I live in Cranford with my husband Bob, and our two sons. Cranford has such a strong sense of community with beautiful homes and a great downtown ranked #1 by NJ.com.

Oh Cranford is absolutely delightful. I so enjoyed the Cranford Historical Society Garden Tour last June.

Here are some images from Sandy’s garden on the day of the tour June 11, 2022.

Will you share a bit about your youth. Both my husband and I grew up nearby so we were very familiar with Cranford. As a child I loved spending all my time outside – the 1970’s in the Burbs! My mother Michelen had a garden that bordered our yard, and she filled it with vegetables and flowers. My mother learned much of what she knew about gardening from our older neighbor Mrs. Traut, who had a tidy bed of perennials in her yard. Mrs. Traut shared her plants with my mother (as a gardener always does), and ultimately some of them now live in my garden. My mother shared her plants with me when I moved in, amazing to think some are probably 80 years old? I think that part of my childhood and visiting my Gram Kate helping in her tiny rose patch probably created an interest I wouldn’t find till much later in life.

**Tulips and Rananculus bouquet for** **Larger Cross**

“I truly believe nature is the very best mood booster”

— Sandy Devaney

Sandy while I know you’re a gardener I’ve seen snippets of your home on Instagram and you have an eye my dear. You are so sweet to notice the very tiny “non-flowery” bits on my IG. I always say there are so many incredible and talented accounts in the Design/Decor lane–I will stick to the flowers! My mother loved antiques, decorating (which involved lots of wallpaper!), and really any and all things to “make a home”. I used to say she was ”Martha” before Martha...As a child I spent so many weekends at dusty flea markets staring table high at “old stuff" and watching my mom negotiate a deal. I remember telling her when I was teenager, “I will never have any antiques or wallpaper when I have a house someday” Famous. Last. Words. Which of course, cracks me up! I love all of it–and every time I visit my Mom I am always trying to get her to part with something.

Tell us where and what you went to school for and your career path. I graduated college with a degree in Elementary Education/Fine Arts. I realized I wanted to change my major as I enjoyed all of the classes in my Fine Arts minor far more than the Education classes. In my Junior year I was accepted to F.I.T. for Jewelry Design but ultimately did not pursue it. The reason I share this is because looking back, it’s so interesting to see the threads that ultimately reveal themselves far later on. After graduating I was an elementary teacher for a year then worked for Tommy Hilfiger for several more. After I had my son Jack, I made the choice to be at home and raise my boys.

Please share the garden journey of your home and business The Collected Garden. As a new mom with two very young children, I was looking for something that was just mine. I wanted something I could do after they went to bed, and give me a creative outlet. When we purchased our house it had no plantings of any kind. There were no foundation plantings, no flowers, no trees–just an overwhelming blank slate. I borrowed the neighbors roto-tiller and carved a bed on the edge of the front lawn. I wanted a pollinator garden so the boys Jack and Will could play in the flowers/dirt, and watch the birds and butterflies. Lots of plants and flowers died and just as many thrived. 23 years later, and that first garden bed is now filled with roses, perennials, annuals, and pollinator friendly plantings.

I named my business The Collected Garden for two reasons. The first because of what I have created here, several different gardens on a small suburban lot. I have a perennial garden, white garden, side hydrangea/shade garden, patio garden, and the cutting garden with Minnie the little greenhouse. The other reason it is called The Collected Garden is that much like a collected, layered interior over time, I believe that gardens have those same characteristics as well. A garden of any size is grown and layered through collected flowers & shared plants, garden statuary, lighting, a cozy dining area, and so much more. My favorite spot is our patio because it functions as an outdoor dining and living room in the warmer months. Morning coffee on the weekends and dinner outside a few nights a week. My husband Bob has a fire going most nights he is out there. We have just added an Ooni pizza oven so I’m really looking forward to pizza nights with friends this summer.

So what are you currently working on? I am excited for this upcoming season. Flower arranging workshops, small event work, and growing on additional space are all happening this year. I’m currently creating Friday Flower Bouquets for Dreyer Farms and Larger Cross. This is actually a lean time of year - flower wise - until the abundance of summer kicks in.

**Dahlia, Nasturtiums, and more from last weekend sale at:** **Dreyer Farms** **and** **Larger Cross**

I am also working on the website for The Collected Garden and hope to have it up by the fall. So I have a spot “for everything” that is not on IG, maybe a blog, and definitely a place for “mini pop-up” sales.

Tutorial

Mapping the Garden

Sandy I’m super excited for your website and I’ve already signed up for your Postcard list. Yes, my newsletter is just a postcard. You know me, I keep it light and brief. Just a fun little note to pop in your email with a heads up on things, or just share some thing I think everyone might enjoy.

Readers can sign up by emailing you: thecollectedgarden@gmail.com

I’m curious do you have a gardening philosophy? I do not have a specific gardening philosophy, but maybe more of a belief? I always say “I truly believe nature is the very best mood booster”... By that I simply mean bring a tiny bit of the outside in–and see how it changes your mood and makes you feel. Maybe everyone doesn’t want to garden, or feels intimidated “they’ll fail”--you can’t and you won’t, because that’s not what gardening is about. Take a clipping of a few herbs, or snip a stem of that hydrangea by your driveway, bring it in and enjoy it! When you make that connection and see how you feel, there’s a really good chance you just might plant something–and just like that, now you’re a Gardener!

Thank you so much for having me Meryl! It was so nice meeting you last year, and then finding your lovely account on IG. You are the sweetest and generously show your support to so many in the IG community.

Sandy you’re making me blush!!! I love your passion and the beauty you share in the world. Friends go find Sandy on Instagram and give her a follow. Her blooms are currently for sale at Dreyer Farms 831 Springfield Ave, Cranford NJ and Larger Cross 3 James Street Oldwick, NJ. Check websites for hours.

You might enjoy revisiting the post A Garden Tour - that’s how I met Sandy.