The Garden Growth Gathering retrospective helps teams reflect on project progress by celebrating successes, acknowledging disappointments, and identifying persistent blockers to nurture continuous improvement.

When to use this template

This format is most effective at the end of a key project phase, release, or after a sprint cycle where the team needs a balanced blend of celebration and constructive analysis.

How to facilitate

Welcome the team and set the tone by sharing the garden-inspired theme

Briefly explain the meaning of each garden column and encourage garden metaphors for a creative mindset

Invite everyone to add notes to the Blossoming Wins, Withered Leaves, and Pesky Weeds columns in silence

Ask the team to read through the board, grouping similar items and clarifying any points as needed

Facilitate a team discussion: celebrate successes, explore the root causes of disappointments, and dig into the 'weeds' to uncover blockers

Prioritize the most pressing issues or repeat blockers for action

Develop concrete improvement experiments or next steps as a group, assigning owners if possible

Close by inviting reflections on the process and committing to tending your project garden for the next cycle

Pro Tips

Use playful, garden-related language during facilitation to keep engagement high

Encourage even quiet team members to contribute silently before discussion starts for wider participation

Mix up the order of discussion occasionally, starting with 'weeds' if the team tends to avoid tough issues

Follow up on previous 'pests' action items at the next retro to demonstrate accountability and progress

FAQ

What if the team focuses only on problems and skips celebrating wins?

Start by explicitly prompting for successes and sharing a few yourself to set the tone. Remind the team that balance leads to growth.

How do we handle recurring 'weeds' that don't get resolved?

Highlight repeat blockers and involve the team in root-cause analysis. Assign specific owners and follow up on progress in subsequent retros.

What if team members struggle to use the garden metaphors?

Offer quick examples for each column, but reassure the team that literal language is also fine—creativity is encouraged, not required.

Is this format suitable for newly formed teams?

Yes. The playful theme helps build psychological safety and encourages honest feedback in a non-threatening way.

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At a glance

Duration
45–60 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Glad, Sad, Mad

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🌱 Garden Growth Gathering

Step into our virtual garden! Just as good gardeners tend their plots, let's nurture our project by reflecting on what bloomed, what wilted, and what pests need addressing. Cultivate improvements as a team!

Template Columns

🌻 Blossoming Wins

🥀 Withered Leaves

🐛 Pesky Weeds

About this template