What Gardening Can Teach Us About Growing Wealth
If you’ve ever tended a garden, you know it’s not just about tossing some seeds in the dirt and hoping for the best. Gardening takes patience, planning, and a bit of faith that your hard work will pay off over time.
Funny enough, the same is true for growing wealth.
Here are five lessons from the garden that apply directly to your financial life.
1. You Have to Start with Good Soil
In gardening, plants thrive when they have nutrient-rich soil. Without it, even the best seeds will struggle.
In your financial life, “good soil” means a strong foundation:
- A clear budget that matches your goals
- An emergency fund to weather life’s storms
- A healthy relationship with debt
Without a solid base, it’s harder for your financial plans to take root.
2. Choose the Right Seeds for Your Climate
Every garden is unique. What grows well in one region might not survive in another.
The same is true for investments and savings strategies. Your “financial climate” includes your income, expenses, goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. What works for your neighbor might not work for you — and that’s okay.
3. You Can’t Rush the Harvest
Gardeners know you can’t plant a tomato seed today and expect fresh salsa tomorrow. Growth takes time.
In wealth building, patience is one of your greatest assets. Markets go up and down, but if you’ve planted wisely and tended your “garden” regularly, you’ll see the rewards in the long run.
4. Pull Weeds Early
Weeds compete with your plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients. If you let them spread, they can choke out your hard work.
In your finances, “weeds” might be:
- Unnecessary subscriptions
- High-interest debt
- Impulsive spending habits
The earlier you spot and remove them, the less damage they do.
5. Keep Tending the Garden
Even the healthiest garden needs ongoing care — watering, pruning, and protecting from pests.
Wealth works the same way. Your financial plan should be reviewed and adjusted regularly to reflect life changes, market shifts, and new goals.
The Big Takeaway
A thriving garden — like lasting wealth — isn’t built overnight. It’s the result of consistent care, smart choices, and a willingness to adapt when the weather changes.
So whether you’re planting zucchini or planning for retirement, remember: patience, preparation, and persistence will better your chances of a fruitful harvest.
If you want help creating a financial plan that could have the growth potential of a well-tended garden, let’s talk. Lockwood Financial Strategies is here to help you plant the right seeds for your future.

Philip Lockwood | Founder + Managing Partner |
Address: 1501 Ingersoll Ave. Suite 201 Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-274-8006 |
Email: Plockwood@parklandrep.com Website: Lockwood Financial Strategies Securities offered through Parkland Securities, LLC, member FINRA (FINRA.org) and SIPC (SIPC.org). Investment Advisory services offered through SPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Lockwood Financial Strategies, LLC is independent of Parkland Securities, LLC and SPC Securities offered through Parkland Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. |