Plant Stylist Hilton Carter Shares How His First Time Eating Something ‘Straight from the Ground’ Changed Him (Exclusive)

**Hilton Carter and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Team Up to Highlight Community Gardens**

Baltimore-based plant stylist Hilton Carter is embarking on a new journey to explore community gardens across the United States, thanks to his collaboration with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. This initiative, known as the “Lots of Compassion” campaign, seeks to illustrate the significant role that these gardens play in fostering community spirit and environmental awareness.

Carter, whose reputation for stunning indoor plant displays precedes him, admits that outdoor gardening is not his forte. “I will say, I’m not an outdoor gardener,” the 47-year-old revealed in a candid conversation with PEOPLE. Despite this, he sees this recent partnership as a valuable opportunity to step outside his comfort zone and engage directly with the vibrant world of community gardening.

The “Lots of Compassion” campaign, now in its fourth year, has already made considerable strides. Through the distribution of 30 garden grants, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day has transformed over 110,000 square feet of garden space, impacting the lives of more than 45,000 community members. Carter’s involvement adds a personal touch to the programme, as he visits various grant recipients to document the stories behind each garden.

One particular stop on Carter’s journey was the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, a site of personal significance to him. “I spent 10 years out in L.A. for graduate school and then after,” he shared. The visit marked a poignant moment for the artist, as it was the first time he experienced the joy of eating produce directly from the earth. “When that cherry tomato burst open, I never felt so connected to Los Angeles,” he reflected, highlighting the emotional resonance of the experience.

These gardens not only cultivate food but also bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds, as Carter observed during his travels. “There are people from all generations and different walks of life sharing secrets and cultivating compassion,” he noted. Varieties of plants unique to different cultures illustrate how gardens serve as a melting pot of ideas and experiences, enriching community ties.

Carter’s visit to the Luna Y Sol Cafe’s Community Habitat in Tucson, Arizona, further exposed him to this colourful tapestry of participants. There, he witnessed artists creating displays while collaborating with those focused on native plants and pollinator restoration. “The married couple that I talked to the most, I just told them, ‘Look, I’m coming back to Tucson in a few weeks. I hope I get to spend more time with you,’ ” he recounted, revealing the strong connections he forged with local groups.

The campaign’s social media series, which will showcase Carter’s experiences at these gardens, is set to roll out in the weeks ahead. Each episode aims to highlight a different community and illustrate the transformative impact of gardening on local residents and their surroundings. “I know the power of greenery and how it can transform someone,” Carter stated, underscoring the emotional and social benefits of creating green spaces.

Carter believes that cultivating gardens is more than just enhancing physical space; it also nurtures the soul of individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and encouragement to give back to one’s community. The mission behind the “Lots of Compassion” initiative aligns effortlessly with his personal philosophy about the importance of greenery.

For those eager to follow Hilton Carter’s journey and learn more about the various communities involved, the first episode of the “Lots of Compassion” campaign is currently available on YouTube, with more episodes set to be released through Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day’s social media platforms.

This collaboration emphasizes more than just gardening; it showcases how nurturing the earth can also nurture relationships and strengthen the bonds within a community. As the campaign unfolds, viewers will have the chance to witness the powerful stories of connection, growth, and compassion blossoming in gardens across the nation.