This journey started in 2010 when Michele took over the Potting Shed on the A37 Dorchester Road. Since then, it evolved to incorporate a Wellbeing and Yoga Garden, therapy and healing rooms, as well as the nursery and cream teas. Customers said that they felt like they were walking into a Secret Garden, due to the ambience of the place, their troubles were left at the gate. “It is such a special place to come to”. Everything was done with the environment in mind, recycling as much as possible, including the materials that were used to build and maintain the site. The Potting Shed was run on organic principles, extremely wildlife friendly and was indeed endorsed by Dorset Wildlife Trust. The fruit grown was used to make the jams for the cream teas and the leaves for the herbal teas were picked directly from the plants in the garden. Andy became involved after having had a breakdown, and found going to the Potting Shed was a valuable therapy. Weeding and potting on was an escape from his everyday world. Andy teamed up with Michele, and they started developing and expanding the Potting Shed so it could help other people in similar situations. The benefit of the garden and outdoor space undeniably had a very positive impact and they wanted to share this with others.

In December 2021 Michele was given notice to vacate The Potting Shed. Michele and Andy started to look for a new site to purchase as they didn’t want to have to move again. They found a 2.25 acre site at Middlemarsh near Sherborne. This new site has the same feel and ambience as the old Potting Shed. They knew at once this was the correct site to rebuild the Potting Shed, because it felt so perfect, as you walked through the gates your troubles and stresses just melted away. They purchased the site in May 2022 and moved The Potting Shed with all of its plants, furniture and buildings to the new site.

Michele and Andy are now in the middle of creating and landscaping the Gardens, Nursery and Wellbeing Centre.