Some dreams take years to take root. Mine began as a simple wish — to have a piece of land big enough to grow things, create beauty, and live close to nature. What started as a fantasy slowly grew into a concrete plan, shaped by learning, experimenting, and shared vision. This is the story of how the dream evolved — and why we’re now preparing to leave the Netherlands for France.
Planting the Seed
I’ve always dreamed of having a big piece of land — the kind of place where you can build your own world. A herb garden, fruit trees, a veggie patch, a BBQ spot for friends, maybe a tree nursery, and definitely a wild corner just for nature to do its thing. Not just to grow food, but to grow a life that feels right.
A Dream Shared
Over the past few years, I threw myself into gardening. I taught myself the basics, volunteered on a flower farm, and last year started managing a flower stall at a local estate. That’s also when Ela.blooms was born. Meanwhile, my husband started learning French, and together we began imagining the land that would one day be ours. We talked about what we wanted to grow, how we’d live, and what kind of community we hoped to build.
We explored what was possible here in the Netherlands — regulations, land availability, tree planting — but nothing quite matched what we were looking for.
From Vision to Action
When we bought our second home in Odijk with a 150m² garden, things started to feel more real. That little garden became my playground — the place I tested ideas, got my hands dirty, and discovered what I really loved. I started with vegetables, but eventually flowers took over.
Every planting season and every small experiment helped clarify what kind of land I wanted in the future, and how I could use it to live more intentionally.
Learning Along the Way
Before we even bought the Odijk house, I’d already signed up for my first permaculture course. That course changed the way I thought about land. It wasn’t just about gardening anymore — it was about ecosystems, relationships between plants, and working with nature instead of against it.
Later, I followed a course in ecological flower farming that helped me refine how I wanted to grow and share flowers — not just as a hobby, but as a livelihood.
Why We Chose France
After years of trial and reflection, we realized our dream didn’t quite fit within the boundaries of Dutch land policy. Spain and Portugal were on the list for a while, but their water issues made us hesitate.
Then France came into view. We focused on the area between Lyon and Avignon and spent three weeks visiting properties. The landscape, the space, the prices — it all made sense. Add to that the fact that I’m Swiss and French is my mother tongue, and my husband had a head start with the language — suddenly, it all clicked.
We’re not moving for the wine or the lifestyle clichés. It’s really about the land. The freedom to plant, build, grow — without having to fight for every square meter.
The Turning Point
Eventually, we reached a tipping point. We felt boxed in — by the rules, the space, and the constant need to compromise. We realized we were spending more time adjusting our dream than building it.
So we made the decision: no more waiting. We’re going to find our place. That was the moment the fantasy became a plan.
Every big move starts with a small dream. For us, it was the dream of land. Through gardens, courses, and conversations, it grew into something much bigger — a vision for a new life. One rooted in soil, sun, and shared purpose.
We’re just at the beginning of this journey, and I’ll be documenting it every step of the way — from the decision, to the move, to building our life in France.
Coming Soon on the Blog:
- My First Garden Design
- A Childhood Rooted in Nature
- Why I Chose to Study Agriculture
- How Ela.Blooms Was Born
Stay tuned 🌿
Ela Blooms 
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