Petra, originally from Czech Republic, first arrived in Malta seven years ago, starting her journey in Gozo. At the time, she had been sending out CVs across Europe in search of a retreat chef position. One unexpected offer from a company in Għarb brought her to the island – an opportunity that marked the beginning of a new chapter, shaping her life both personally and professionally.
Since then, Petra has made a life for herself on the island, becoming a mother and turning her passion for nature into a meaningful initiative. Inspired by the spacious outdoor gardens of her extended family, she created Secret Garden, an organic gardening project that began as a way to give her child a healthy, screen-free childhood surrounded by plants and play. Quickly, it blossomed into something more: a community space where other parents and children can come together and reconnect with nature.
We spoke with Petra about her journey, the roots of her garden project, and what lies ahead.
From Chef to Gardener in Gozo
1. What brought you to Malta, and how did you end up settling in Gozo?
After I finished working in Germany in a raw vegan hotel in a beautiful national park area, I was looking for something new, for still remote area but with more aliveness in a sense of community and like minded people interested in healthy living, healthy eating and nature. I sent my CVs across the Europe and I got a response from a retreat centre in Gharb, Gozo. So I would say, some form of destiny brought me here.
2. How did your personal journey in Gozo lead you to start gardening?
I started experimenting with gardening at my partner’s home garden 4 years ago, which was so bare at the time, but full of potential. Here and there I used to grow plants before, microgreens, sprouts, but in his garden I had finally space and opportunity to dive into it properly, learn and harvest what we grew together.
Creating a Garden for Children
3. What inspired you to turn your home garden into a space for children?
It was my daughter and my closest mom friends that gave me the inspiration for it. We used to have playdates at home, and I ran a small mom’s club once a week – naturally, we spent time in the garden. That, along with my passion for gardening and the importance of teaching this to kids early on, sparked the idea. I always complained that gardening should be taught in schools, like in my childhood in the Czech Republic, but back then, it felt boring and disconnected. So now, I try hard to make it engaging. I show kids the full cycle: preparing soil, planting seeds, transplanting, mulching, companion planting, and why flowers matter for pollinators. We also do fun projects like bug hotels, flower hammering, and a bamboo pea teepee. My partner built them a mud kitchen too, which I stock with dried petals, roots, and herbs for sensory play.
What started as playdates in our garden turned into a space where kids learn by doing – digging, planting, and discovering the magic of nature.
4. Can you tell us more about the gardening club, how it works and who it’s for?
I have a WhatsApp group that parents can join, or they can DM me through Instagram or Facebook to book their spot. Sessions are on Saturdays from 10AM – 11:30AM. Each session is different according to what is needed to do. Last two sessions were about preparing the soil and planting our first plants and flowers. The club is for toddlers up to kids around the age of 8 and their parents which I put to work as well. My favourite part is when a parent learns something new that they can later practice together with their child. Something easy but so important like sprouting a seed and growing a plant in a pot.
5. What kinds of activities do the children take part in during the club sessions?
Digging, transplanting, planting, mulching, harvesting, playing, tasting, and helping. They are learning about growing plants from start to finish.
6. How has your own child benefited from growing up around the garden?
She is so confident already as a three-year-old. She helps me with everything. I think what is most important is the nervous system regulation, as well as the knowledge of where food comes from. She will have a direct connection to nature and the earth. From that stems natural gratitude and appreciation for the land, and for people who tend to the land – people who have sustainability in mind, like regenerative farmers, permaculturists, environmentalists and so on.
Petra’s Herbal Remedies
In addition to the gardening activities, Petra also creates herbal remedies crafted from organically grown and sustainably wildcrafted plants found on Gozo Island. During our interview, she served a cup of her homemade herbal tea, which had a fascinating and delightful taste—truly a reflection of her passion for natural, plant-based wellness. These remedies include tinctures, salves, infused oils, and more, all made with respect for the island’s biodiversity and traditional herbal knowledge. You can learn more about her work and products on her website, www.secretgardengozo.com.
Seeds of Tomorrow
7. What are your hopes and plans for the future of Secret Garden?
I would like to expand into an educational organic farm in the future and supply Gozo with organic produce. I’m very intrigued by aeroponic farms as they save up to 95% of the water used in conventional farming. Since water in Malta is scarce, this feels like the most logical step for me. I’d also love to get more involved with the school system and their curriculums and do educational projects around gardening – like designing designated spaces in each school where children can learn how to grow plants and explore different methods.
Petra’s work in Gozo reflects a practical and thoughtful approach to community, education, and sustainable living. Through the Secret Garden, she has created a space where children and parents can engage with nature in a meaningful way. Her gardening club, herbal remedies, and plans for the future all stem from a strong commitment to health, the environment, and hands-on learning. As the project grows, it continues to offer something rare on the island—an outdoor space dedicated to reconnecting with the land and sharing knowledge that benefits both people and the planet.
Be sure to follow her on social media, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in reserving a spot for the weekly gardening sessions.
If you enjoyed Petra’s story and wish to share your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our formulaire de contact, Facebookou Instagram accounts. We’re just a click away!
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