This is the second lesson in the new ManWrites series — The Hobbies & Free Time Series – “Let’s Talk About…”
Each lesson in this series explores a popular hobby or interest through an easy-to-read short story, followed by practical classroom activities. Learners can read, discuss, and share their own experiences while improving their English naturally.
In this lesson, Let’s Talk About Gardening, students follow the story of Maria — a woman who discovers how gardening brings calm, colour, and joy into her everyday life. The lesson includes:
- a short, engaging story
- reading comprehension questions
- vocabulary and expressions with exercises
- grammar and speaking practice
Perfect for A2–B1 learners, this lesson helps students talk confidently about hobbies, nature, and everyday life in English — while enjoying a simple, uplifting story.
1. How It Started
When Maria moved into her new flat, she noticed the small, empty balcony outside her living room. It looked dull and grey.
One weekend, she decided to buy a few flower pots and some soil. She planted a few herbs — basil, mint, and rosemary.
At first, she didn’t know what she was doing. She watched videos online and sometimes made mistakes.
But when the first green leaves started to grow, she felt proud and excited. Soon she began spending more time outside, watering and caring for her plants.
Reading Comprehension Questions
What did Maria notice about her balcony?
What did she decide to do one weekend?
Which herbs did she plant first?
How did Maria learn about gardening?
How did she feel when her plants began to grow?
2. The Challenge
One summer, Maria went on holiday for a week.
When she returned home, most of her plants were dry and brown. She felt terrible.
Instead of giving up, she started again. She read about how to care for plants in hot weather and bought a watering system for her balcony.
This time, her garden became even greener and healthier than before. She realised that mistakes are part of learning.
Reading Comprehension Questions
What happened to Maria’s plants while she was away?
How did she feel when she saw them?
What did she do to fix the problem?
What did Maria learn from this experience?
How did her garden change afterwards?
3. Why She Loves It
Now Maria spends time in her garden every morning before work.
She drinks her tea among the flowers and listens to the birds.
Gardening helps her relax, clear her mind, and start the day in a positive mood.
She also shares her herbs and vegetables with her neighbours, which makes her feel connected to others.
For Maria, gardening isn’t just a hobby — it’s a way to bring nature, beauty, and kindness into everyday life.
Reading Comprehension Questions
What does Maria do in her garden each morning?
How does gardening make her feel?
Why does she share her herbs and vegetables?
What does gardening mean to her now?
How has gardening changed Maria’s daily life?
Vocabulary
Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
balcony | a small space outside a flat | She grows flowers on her balcony. |
soil | the dirt or earth that plants grow in | The plants need rich soil to grow well. |
herbs | small plants used in cooking | I grow mint, basil, and rosemary at home. |
watering can | a container for pouring water on plants | She filled her watering can every morning. |
dry | without water or moisture | The plants were dry after a week without rain. |
system | a set of things that work together | She bought a watering system for her plants. |
care for | to look after something | Maria loves to care for her garden. |
green | full of healthy plants | Her balcony became green and beautiful. |
connected | feeling close to people | Gardening helps her feel connected to her neighbours. |
kindness | being friendly and caring | She shows kindness by sharing her herbs. |
Vocabulary Exercises
A. Matching
Match each word to its meaning.
- balcony
- herbs
- watering can
- soil
- connected
a) small plants used in cooking
b) a small outdoor space on a flat
c) earth that plants grow in
d) close or linked with others
e) a container used to water plants
B. Fill in the blanks
I keep some flowers on my _______.
Don’t forget to water the plants — they look _______.
Basil and mint are popular _______ for cooking.
I use a _______ to pour water on the plants.
Gardening makes me feel _______ to nature.
C. Personal Practice
Write two sentences of your own about plants or nature using words from the table.
Useful Expressions
I enjoy spending time in the garden.
Gardening helps me relax and clear my mind.
I like growing my own herbs and vegetables.
It feels good to see plants grow.
I always water my plants in the morning.
Sometimes I make mistakes, but I learn from them.
Gardening brings peace and happiness to my life.
It’s a wonderful way to connect with nature.
Expressions Practice
A. Complete the sentences
I enjoy spending time _______.
_______ helps me relax and clear my mind.
It feels good to see _______.
Sometimes I make _______.
Gardening brings _______ to my life.
B. Speaking Practice
Work with a partner. Use two or more expressions above to talk about your favourite outdoor activity.
Example:
A: I like growing vegetables. It feels good to see them grow.
B: Me too! Gardening helps me relax after work.
Language Focus
1. Verbs with “gardening” and “plants”
Common verbs
plant flowers / vegetables / herbs
water the plants
grow plants / grow food
care for the garden
Practice A – Make sentences
Use each verb in your own sentence.
Example: I water my plants every morning before breakfast.
Practice B – Speaking challenge
Ask and answer with a partner.
- What do you usually plant?
- How often do you water your plants?
- Do you like caring for your garden? Why or why not?
2. Common Collocations
Useful word pairs
plant seeds
water regularly
healthy soil
green leaves
grow vegetables
share herbs
Practice A – Match and complete
plant _______
water _______
healthy _______
green _______
grow _______
share _______
a) herbs b) vegetables c) regularly d) seeds e) soil f) leaves
Practice B – Make it personal
Use at least three of the collocations to write your own sentences.
Example:
I plant seeds every spring.
I like to share herbs with my friends.
3. Grammar Point: “Present Simple for Habits”
Maria waters her plants every morning and drinks tea on the balcony.
We use the present simple tense for daily routines, habits, and things we do regularly.
Examples
I grow tomatoes in my garden.
She waters the plants twice a week.
Practice A – Write it out
Write two sentences about your daily or weekly habits.
Practice B – Pair discussion
Ask a partner:
- What do you do every morning?
- What’s something you do regularly to relax?
Discussion
How did Maria start gardening?
What problem did she face in summer?
What did she learn from her mistake?
Why does she enjoy gardening?
How does gardening help people relax?
Do people in your country enjoy gardening?
Would you like to have your own garden? Why or why not?
Did you like this guide? Was it useful?
If so, please leave a comment below. I read and reply to every single one.
And why not sign up to my mailing list? I can send you regular articles and guides by email.
Sign up below…
And you can download the full lesson plan in PDF format. Just click the link below!
